Woman killed by uprooted tree, traffic paralyzed as typhoon Yagi brings downpours in Hanoi

Typhoon Yagi has wreaked havoc across the Vietnamese capital, leaving a trail of destruction and disrupting daily life as it nears landfall.

In Hoang Mai District, an African mahogany tree was uprooted by powerful winds and crashed onto a parked car outside an apartment building. This incident underscores the intensity of the storm that has been battering the region. In another tragic event, a flamboyant tree on Nguyen Huu Tho Street fell onto a motorbike, resulting in the death of a woman riding pillion. The motorcyclist, who sustained head injuries, was rushed to hospital.

As heavy rains began to fall around 3 p.m., traffic in Hanoi came to a standstill. Vehicles were trapped in gridlock as people hurried to get home or stock up on supplies. Streets such as Ton That Thuyet and Pham Van Bach were particularly affected, with many vehicles struggling to navigate the roads. Witnesses described the strong winds and sudden rain as intense and unexpected.

A 3-km tailback on Pham Hung Street in Hanoi after heavy downpours on the afternoon of Sept. 6, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

As of 4 p.m., Hanoi’s streets were still drenched, with tree branches and debris littering roadways. The typhoon's impact is likely to continue, with forecasts predicting further heavy rain and strong winds.

Residents are advised to stay indoors and follow local authorities' updates as the storm progresses.

Chaos at an intersection of Thai Ha Street in Hanoi, Sept. 6, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Typhoon Yagi, currently a super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 201 kph, is located approximately 435 km from Ha Long Bay. The storm is expected to make landfall in Quang Ninh and Nam Dinh provinces by midday Saturday, with wind speeds forecast to range between 103-118 kph.