Flash floods, landslides kill 4, leave 4 missing in Vietnam's Lai Chau

Heavy rain triggered flash floods and landslides in Chit Village, Nam Sang Village, Team 11, and other areas of Muong Than Commune.

The floods destroyed or swept away 14 houses, severely damaged 11 others, partially damaged another 15, and left 17 households at risk of landslides.

Large amounts of property and household belongings were buried or washed away.

Flash floods and inundation affected all villages across the commune.

Team 11 suffered particularly severe damage, with around 300 hectares of rice fields, crops, and aquaculture areas devastated.

Major transport routes, including National Highway 32, National Highway 279, and inter-village roads, were blocked by landslides, causing severe traffic disruptions.

Authorities estimated total losses from the disaster at more than VND120 billion (US$4.6 million).

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting on Sunday warned of continued heavy rain, flooding, flash floods, and landslides in several northern provinces.

Earlier on Sunday morning, moderate to heavy rainfall, including very heavy rain in some areas, was recorded in Tuyen Quang Province.

The weather agency warned that localized flooding could affect low-lying areas and communities along rivers and streams in numerous communes and wards across Tuyen Quang.

Floodwaters are forecast to reach depths of 0.5-1.0 meters, with some locations potentially inundated by up to two meters. Flooding may last four to six hours or longer in some areas.