Hundreds evacuated as landslide threat looms over flood-hit Lai Chau in Vietnam

According to the provincial civil defense steering committee, task forces identified a large crack along the mountainside overlooking Noong Thang Village in Muong Than Commune.

Home to more than 200 households, the village sits at the foot of the mountain and downstream from three natural water channels, placing it at significant risk if the unstable slope collapses.

The evacuation came just one day after a devastating flash flood swept through the area.

Heavy downpours triggered flash floods in the commune, leaving four people dead, four missing and seven injured while destroying homes, isolating villages, and severely disrupting transport on Friday.

As of Friday evening, seven villages, namely Khoang, Ve, Hat Nam, Muong Mit, Chit, Nam Sang, and Sap Ngua, remained isolated, with 880 households and more than 4,600 residents affected.

A total of 385 people have been displaced after their homes were damaged.

Colonel Khoang Van Thuong, deputy head of the Lai Chau Department of Public Security, said police officers were enhancing efforts in search-and-rescue operations while assisting local authorities with relocating residents from threatened areas.

"Our top priority is protecting lives," he said.

"People should leave their belongings behind.

“Once the rain stops and conditions become safe, they can return. This is an emergency order, and everyone must comply."

Beginning Saturday afternoon, dozens of families hurriedly packed essential belongings, carrying only personal documents and necessities before relocating to temporary shelters established at Pac Ta Secondary School in Pac Ta Commune.

Police officers carried elderly residents, children, and injured people to safety, while local militia members, youth volunteers, and support teams from neighboring communes helped transport household belongings.

Authorities warned that persistent rainfall over recent days has saturated the mountain slopes above Noong Thang, Ban Chit, and Doi 11 Villages, which have been hit by flash floods.

With additional heavy rain forecast in the coming days, the danger of further landslides and flash floods remains extremely high.

Local authorities continue to inspect vulnerable areas and relocate residents as a precaution.

As the flash floods that struck on Friday morning killed four people, injured seven others, and left four missing, more than 800 personnel from the police, military, and local emergency services have been deployed to search for the missing, assist survivors, and restore damaged infrastructure.

The disaster has completely destroyed 13 homes, while many more have suffered damage that has yet to be fully assessed.

Transport infrastructure has also sustained severe damage.

A section of National Highway 32 passing through Chit Village was washed away by floodwaters, prompting authorities to deploy heavy machinery and work crews to restore access.

The floods also swept away or buried more than 20 hectares of rice fields.

Provincial authorities estimate total damage to homes, crops, and transportation infrastructure at nearly VND120 billion (US$4.6 million).