Residents risk lives to collect firewood from flood-swollen river in central Vietnam
Residents in An Phu Commune, Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam, continued risking their lives to collect floating firewood from the swollen Tra Khuc River on Wednesday, despite warnings from local authorities.
Despite the powerful current, many residents enter the Tra Khuc River in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam to collect firewood, November 11, 2026. Photo: Nguyen Yen
The An Phu administration said on the same day that it had directed local forces to stop people from engaging in the dangerous activity as floodwaters continued to rise.
Heavy rainfall over recent days, combined with runoff from upstream areas, has caused the Tra Khuc River to swell dramatically.
The fast-moving current has carried large amounts of trees, firewood and dry branches toward downstream areas.
A man uses a pole to retrieve firewood floating down the Tra Khuc River in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam, November 11, 2026. Photo: Nguyen Yen
Along the southern embankment of the river, numerous residents gathered to collect floating wood despite the powerful current.
Some used long poles to hook branches and logs drifting near the riverbank, while others waded into the water's edge to pull out floating timber.
Some people struggled to drag large tree trunks ashore.
After retrieving the wood, they piled it along the road, waiting to transport it home by motorbikes or three-wheelers.
Firewood retrieved from the Tra Khuc River in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam is piled up along the road before being transported away. Photo: Nguyen Yen
According to local authorities, warnings were issued early on Wednesday morning after officials observed large crowds collecting wood along the riverbank.
Police officers and local militia were sent to the area and instructed residents to stop the risky activity.
However, many people reportedly returned later in the day despite repeated warnings.
Authorities said they would continue monitoring the area and take additional measures to prevent accidents.
Authorities warned residents against collecting wood from the flood-swollen Tra Khuc River in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam, but many returned after enforcement teams left. Photo: Nguyen Yen
The situation comes as central Vietnam continues to experience severe weather.
According to Quang Ngai's meteorological agency, several locations recorded extremely heavy rainfall over the previous 24 hours.
Rainfall totals reached over 545 mm in Tra Thanh, 487 mm in Son Long, 440 mm in Tra Hiep, and more than 439 mm in Ngoc Tem.
The intense rainfall has caused river levels to rise rapidly.
At 1:00 am on Wednesday, the Tra Khuc River at Tra Khuc Station reached 4.75 meters.
Forecasters predicted the river could peak at 5.9 meters, approximately 0.9 meters above Alert Level 2.
Amid the risk of flash floods and landslides, authorities in mountainous areas have organized evacuations.
Heavy rain has also triggered landslides on several roads and caused flooding at low-water bridges and crossings.
Minh Duy - Nguyen Yen / Tuoi Tre News
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