Millions in S-E Asia struggling in aftermath of typhoon

Death toll passes 200 amid widespread flooding, power cuts and deadly landslides

HANOI - Millions of people across South-east Asia struggled on Sept 12 with flooded homes, power cuts and wrecked infrastructure after Typhoon Yagi swept through the region, as the death toll surpassed 200.

In worst-hit Vietnam, the fatalities rose to 197, while nine people were confirmed dead in northern Thailand, where one district is experiencing its worst floods in 80 years.

Myanmar's national fire service confirmed the country's first Yagirelated deaths after 17 bodies were recovered from flooded villages in the Mandalay region, while more than 50,000 people have been forced from their homes.

Yagi brought a colossal deluge of rain that has inundated a swathe of northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, triggering deadly landslides and widespread river flooding.

One farmer on the edge of Hanoi said his entire 1,800 sq m peach blossom plantation was submerged, destroying all 400 of his trees.

"It will be so hard for me to recover from this loss - I think I will lose up to US$40,000 (S$52,000) this season," said the farmer, who gave his name only as Tu.

"I really don't know what to do now, I'm just waiting for the water to recede."

The United Nations Children's Fund said the typhoon had damaged more than 140,000 homes across 26 provinces in Vietnam.