Floodwaters from Typhoon Yagi have wreaked havoc across northern Vietnam, leading to the destruction of over 250,000 hectares of agricultural land, notably impacting rice, vegetables, and fruit trees. In the wake of the typhoon, farmers in the region are grappling with the loss of their crops, with some of the most affected being those cultivating peach blossoms and kumquats, especially in areas around Hanoi.
In Hanoi, the capital experienced its worst flooding in two decades, profoundly affecting the agricultural sector. Do Hong Yen, a farmer from Phu Thuong, reported a loss exceeding $45,000 due to the inundation of her peach blossom trees, a crop highly valued in the lead-up to Tet, Vietnam's lunar new year. The flooding submerged the peach blossom trees for more than two days, rendering them unable to bloom for the season. Similarly, Tran Thi Ly's banana and vegetable gardens were completely destroyed, highlighting the widespread impact on both fruit and vegetable producers.
The historic floods in Nhat Tan ward, Tay Ho district, have left peach and kumquat growers in a dire situation. With 70% to 100% of their crops destroyed, the recovery process is expected to be lengthy and challenging. The depth of the floodwaters, reaching up to 1 meter in some areas, has resulted in significant losses and has made rescue efforts for the plants particularly difficult. Artisan Le Ham and other local growers face a substantial recovery period, with some estimating losses around 3 billion VND.
The aftermath of Typhoon Yagi has not only affected the agricultural sector but has also led to a sharp increase in grocery prices in Hanoi. The loss of crops has caused vegetable prices to surge by up to 50%, exacerbating the challenges faced by the city's residents. In response, Hanoi's trade department has sought to mitigate the shortage by importing vegetables from the south.
The typhoon and subsequent floods have underscored the vulnerability of agricultural livelihoods to extreme weather events, highlighting the need for resilience and recovery strategies in the face of climate change.
Sources: Phys Org & VietnamNet Global