Thailand Death toll in Vietnam continues to rise after super typhoon

The number of deaths has now risen to 197, according to the disaster control authorities. Almost 130 people are still missing after landslides and flash floods. According to the authorities, the most violent tropical storm in decades raged for 15 hours at the weekend, particularly in the north of the country.

The capital Hanoi was also badly affected. The online portal of the newspaper "vnexpress.net" spoke of the most severe flooding in the metropolis of millions for 20 years.

The natural disaster has already had a considerable impact on everyday life: Prices - especially for vegetables - have more than doubled in the past few days, media reported. "The floods are making transportation difficult and supplies are limited," said a market vendor in Hanoi, explaining the exploding costs.

1.5 million livestock dead

According to disaster control, the tropical storm damaged more than 130,000 houses, many of which are under water. The roofs of numerous stores and schools were also torn off. According to the figures, around 1.5 million farm animals died, mainly poultry and livestock. Almost 200,000 hectares of rice fields were severely damaged. Further heavy rain was forecast for some regions.

Heavy rain and rising water levels also caused increasing concern in Thailand. In 48 provinces, including the capital Bangkok, there were warnings of further heavy rainfall and flash floods for the weekend and the coming week. The northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai on the border with Myanmar, which are particularly popular with tourists from all over the world, have already been hit particularly hard. The death toll has risen to six, the Bangkok Post newspaper reported online, citing the authorities.

World-famous cave flooded

The famous Tham Luang Cave in northern Thailand, which became famous in 2018 due to a dramatic event, is also reportedly completely under water again. Twelve young footballers and their coach had to flee to safety in the cave's branching corridors after it suddenly flooded - four kilometers from the entrance.

Half the world feared for a good two weeks before all those trapped were rescued alive in a spectacular rescue operation by special divers. The entrance to the cave is now partially open to visitors again during the dry season - it is regularly closed during the rainy season.

SDA