September 2024 has already seen significant climate-related disruptions with the arrival of Typhoon Yagi, causing massive flooding in Northern Vietnam. As we move further into an era of frequent and intense natural disasters, the question remains: how do we prepare for climate resilience?
Typhoon Yagi on the news
On September 8, 2024, Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Vietnam, causing severe damage in areas such as Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and northern provinces. As of September 11, the storm had claimed at least 127 lives, leaving thousands homeless due to floods and landslides. The situation in Hanoi and surrounding regions worsened as the Red River’s water level surged, flooding large areas(GMA Network News)(Phys.org)
The Immediate Consequences: Typhoon Yagi’s Impact on Southern Vietnam
Typhoon Yagi not only caused human and property damage but also severely disrupted the supply chain. Bridges collapsed, roads flooded, and tens of thousands of hectares of crops were destroyed, significantly disrupting the transportation of goods. Agricultural and storage hubs in Bac Giang and Thai Nguyen—key suppliers to major companies like Samsung and Foxconn—are also at risk of supply chain disruption due to flooding (GMA Network News)
Rescue operations led by local authorities, non-profits like the Sống Foundation, and international agencies are underway, focusing on saving lives, restoring damaged infrastructure, and delivering critical supplies to affected areas.(GMA Network )
Vietnam’s Future: Facing More Natural Disasters Due to Climate Change
Vietnam’s geographical vulnerability places it at high risk of further climate-related disasters, including typhoons, floods, and rising sea levels. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that extreme weather events will become more frequent and severe due to rising global temperatures. Experts predict that storms like Typhoon Yagi may become more frequent and intense due to warming ocean temperatures linked to climate change. Vietnam must brace for a future where such disasters occur regularly. With over 3,200 kilometers of coastline, Vietnam is likely to see an increasing number of storms like Yagi, especially as El Niño and La Niña cycles intensify(Phys.org).
The Mekong Delta, often referred to as Vietnam’s agricultural "rice bowl," is expected to experience rising sea levels that could inundate vast agricultural lands. For a country where agriculture is a key economic driver, these disruptions could have devastating impacts on food security and exports. Without significant investments in climate adaptation infrastructure, these risks will only increase.
Non-Profit and Government Responses to Typhoon Yagi
In the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, non-profit organizations and government organizations like the Vietnam Fatherland Front (Mặt Trận Tổ Quốc Việt Nam), mobilized to provide relief and rescue operations. The Vietnam Red Cross Society and Sống Foundation (Nhà Chống Lũ) were on the ground, distributing emergency relief kits, food, and clean water to affected communities. Meanwhile, the government launched coordinated efforts to restore electricity, clear roads, and rebuild damaged homes.
For readers interested in supporting the relief efforts, donations can be made to non-profit organizations or government agencies, which focuses on sustainable housing for communities affected by natural disasters. The Vietnamese government has also opened a disaster relief fund for Typhoon Yagi survivors.
What Climate Experts Say: El Niño, La Niña, and the Future of Vietnam’s Climate
The frequency and intensity of typhoons in Vietnam are influenced by natural climate phenomena like El Niño and La Niña, which affect weather patterns globally. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), warming global temperatures are exacerbating these natural cycles, resulting in more severe and unpredictable storms.
Climate experts warn that unless global carbon emissions are drastically reduced, Vietnam and Asian Pacific countries such as Indonesia, Philipines, etc... will continue to face increasingly severe weather events like Typhoon Yagi. The challenge is not only to mitigate climate change through reductions in greenhouse gas emissions but also to adapt to the changes that are already happening. This includes investing in resilient infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and more sustainable agriculture.
Lessons from Global Supply Chain Disruptions
Globally, supply chain disruptions due to climate events have become increasingly common. The floods in Germany in 2021 caused significant delays in manufacturing, and similar events have been experienced in other parts of the world. The aftermath of Yagi brings similar challenges to Vietnam’s growing logistics sector. Without climate-resilient infrastructure, the country will continue to experience inefficiencies in transporting goods during climate events.
One major lesson from global supply chain disruptions is the need for diversified logistics networks. For example, companies in Europe are adopting multi-modal transport systems that leverage both land and waterways to ensure that disruptions in one mode of transport don’t completely halt operations (GMA Network )(Phys.org).
Typhoon Yagi serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in global supply chains to climate-induced events. In recent years, natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires have disrupted supply chains worldwide. For instance, the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017 interrupted pharmaceutical supply chains globally, while floods in Thailand in 2011 damaged factories and disrupted the electronics industry for months.
From these events, key lessons emerge:
Diversification: Companies must diversify their supply chains geographically to avoid over-reliance on regions prone to natural disasters.
Resilience Building: Firms should invest in resilient infrastructure, including warehouses and transportation systems, that can withstand extreme weather.
Technology Integration: Technologies like AI, predictive analytics, and blockchain can help anticipate disruptions, optimize routes, and secure end-to-end transparency in the supply chain.
Preparing for the Future
Typhoon Yagi is a wake-up call for Vietnam and the global community to take urgent action on climate adaptation and mitigation. The country must bolster its infrastructure, diversify supply chains, and embrace technology to build resilience against future disasters. At the same time, global efforts to combat climate change must accelerate to prevent even more extreme weather events.
To assist survivors in northern Vietnam, you can donate to relief organizations such as the Vietnam Red Cross Society, Vietnam FoodBank, or Sống Foundation, which are actively involved in rescue and recovery efforts.
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