Yagi Storm Sweeps Through Hanoi, Killing Three and Toppling 2,800 Trees

A 22-year-old man was killed by a falling tree on Trần Duy Hưng Street, many apartments flooded for the first time, and there was widespread power loss in the outskirts… within about 6-7 hours as the storm swept through the capital last night, September 7.

11:20 PM: Typhoon Yagi Weakening Rapidly

During a meeting at the Forward Command Center at 10 PM, Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà stated “at this point, we can confirm that Typhoon Yagi has weakened rapidly.” He urged localities to promptly address the aftermath. The provinces of Quảng Ninh, Hải Phòng, Nam Định, and Thái Bình were asked to coordinate quickly with rescue forces for drifting and sunken vessels during the storm, as well as for missing individuals.

“Localities must mobilize local forces quickly to clear debris, assess damage, and assist residents in stabilizing their lives and daily activities,” said Mr. Hà.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade instructed power companies to assess the damage and restore the power grid as soon as possible, coordinating electricity supply for important production enterprises and industrial zones. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Information and Communications directed telecommunications companies to restore communication systems promptly.

The Deputy Prime Minister reminded localities to closely monitor flood forecast information, flood risk maps, flash floods, and landslide warnings, and not to be negligent, complacent, or lose vigilance. The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment directed operations for reservoir management to prevent floods from overlapping.

11:15 PM: Nguyễn Thái Học Street and National Museum of Fine Arts in Disarray

A series of fallen trees on Nguyễn Thái Học Street, including many large trees, on the night of September 7. (Photo: Gia Chính).

A series of trees fallen in front of the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts on Nguyễn Thái Học Street. (Photo: Gia Chính).

11:10 PM: Another Fatality Due to a Fallen Tree

According to statistics from Hanoi City, as of 7 PM on September 7, the storm had caused one death. The victim was a man born in 2002 from Hưng Yên, who was crushed by a falling tree on Trần Duy Hưng Street in Cầu Giấy. Thus, since September 6, the capital has recorded three fatalities due to fallen trees and seven injuries.

The city reported nearly 2,800 fallen trees; 13 cars and 6 motorbikes damaged; and 9 households with roofs blown off in Ba Đình, Sơn Tây, and Ba Vì. Currently, there are no flooding points in the city center. However, in the outskirts, 47 hectares of rice and 26.5 hectares of vegetables were flooded, with over 6,000 hectares of rice, vegetables, and fruit trees downed.

10:45 PM: Ancient Tree in Front of the Great Cathedral Toppled

The storm caused numerous ancient trees in Hanoi to topple, notably the trees in front of the Great Cathedral and the jackfruit tree in front of the United Nations headquarters on Kim Mã Street.

The ancient tree in front of the Great Cathedral toppled. (Photo: Gia Chính).

Along Nguyễn Chí Thanh Street, a large tree has fallen every 5-10 meters. Many sections of fallen trees and power poles blocked the road, forcing vehicles to switch to the opposite lane. (Photo: Gia Chính).

10:25 PM: Storm Downgraded

At 10 PM, the storm downgraded to levels 8-9, with gusts reaching level 11, and the strongest winds at 74 km/h. The storm is currently moving west at a speed of 15-20 km/h, with the center located in the Phú Thọ, Vĩnh Phúc, and Thái Nguyên areas.

10:05 PM: Neighbors “Flood Rescue” in Apartments

In the Ecopark urban area, heavy rain caused water to splash into some apartments. These units were on the western side, directly hit by the storm winds while the homeowners were away, forgetting to close the doors tightly or lacking proper protective measures. Since 7 PM, the management board has called for residents’ assistance in cleaning up and lifting belongings to prevent damage.

By about 9:15 PM, residents completed the initial assistance when the winds calmed down. They gathered on the first floor to block water entry, taking the opportunity to rest and eat while monitoring the situation for further assistance.

Residents helping those whose homes were flooded. (Photo: Huệ Phạm)

Some households on Lương Thế Vinh Street in Thanh Xuân District also experienced water flooding into their homes.

Deep floodwater in alleys, entering residents’ homes on Lương Thế Vinh Street. (Photo: Chi Vũ).

9:20 PM: Calm Winds

Winds calmed down, rain eased, and trees stood still from 9 PM, following more than an hour of the storm sweeping through Hanoi. Many residents felt an “unusually still atmosphere,” even somewhat oppressive compared to before. The streets were nearly devoid of personal vehicles, with only vehicles from emergency services on duty.

Suddenly calm and clear skies after a series of heavy rains in Vĩnh Tuy, Hoàng Mai. (Photo: Thu Hằng).

Emergency services taking advantage of the calm to cut down a fallen tree blocking Tam Trinh Street on the night of September 7. (Photo: Lê Minh)

9:15 PM: Flooding in Xa La Urban Area, Hà Đông

8:40 PM: Some Apartments Suffer Roof Collapses and Broken Windows

The storm caused some apartment buildings in Hanoi to show signs of subsidence, broken windows, and roof collapses… endangering the safety of residents.

The reception area of a building in Nam Từ Liêm District damaged. (Photo: Provided by residents)

An apartment building in Việt Hưng Urban Area, Giang Biên Ward, Long Biên District with broken windows. (Photo: Thu Hà)

8:30 PM: Bus Stations Cease Operations

According to Hanoi Bus Station Corporation, from 3:30 PM, bus stations and transport companies were instructed to temporarily halt services to ensure safety for passengers, their belongings, and vehicles.

However, during the evening, many passengers arrived at the bus stations, so the company directed the stations to provide free food, water, and resting places for stranded passengers.

Passengers receiving food at Gia Lâm bus station. (Photo: Hanoi Bus Station Management Company).

Passengers and drivers receiving food support at Mỹ Đình bus station.

8:15 PM: Continuous Gusts in An Khánh Area

8:00 PM: Residents Block Floodwater from Entering Homes

Heavy rain combined with strong storm winds caused water to spill into homes through windows and balconies. In an apartment building in Bắc Từ Liêm District, water seeped through window cracks, flooding the apartments, leading residents to use buckets and towels to catch the water and wring out wet clothes and bedding.

In the Bắc Hà building in Nam Từ Liêm District, water also flooded many apartments, creating a mess. The 151 Nguyễn Đức Cảnh apartment building in Tương Mai Ward, Hoàng Mai District saw some balconies inundated due to delays in drainage. The storm winds also caused broken windows in many apartment units.

Some roads in urban areas in Bắc Từ Liêm, Nam Từ Liêm, and Hà Đông… were flooded with water 30 to 50 cm deep.

7:50 PM: Construction Crane Spinning in the Wind

Phạm Huy, a 29-year-old resident of FLC Mỹ Đình apartments, was alarmed to witness a construction crane near his home spinning continuously in the storm winds since the afternoon. “I felt a shiver every time the crane swung towards the apartment, feeling like it was about to crash into the windows. If it collapses like the one in Hải Phòng, I can’t imagine the consequences,” he worried.

7:05 PM: Many High-Rise Buildings and Apartment Windows Shaking

At 7 PM, the storm was downgraded to levels 10-11, with the strongest winds at 117 km/h and gusts reaching level 13. Yagi was moving west at a speed of 15 km/h.

Hanoi was experiencing heavy rain, and strong gusts shattered windows in some apartment buildings. Residents on the upper floors used tables, chairs, and sofas to brace against impacts.

A family in Nam Tu Liem apartment complex using a sofa to secure glass doors. (Photo: Nhu Tam)

6:35 PM: Many Trees Uprooted on City Streets

Tree uprooted in Nam Dong market area, Dong Da. (Photo: Quang Anh).

Tree down at Alley 10 Nguyen Van Huyen, Cau Giay. (Photo: Hai Trieu).

Tree down in Van Canh urban area, Hoai Duc. According to quick statistics, approximately 80 trees fell in the Van Canh urban area, and 4 houses suffered roof damage and wall collapses. (Photo: Lan Anh).