Thunderstorms, whirlwinds damage over 300 houses, leave 17 injured in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta
Severe thunderstorms and whirlwinds have swept through Dong Thap and An Giang Provinces, located in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, destroying or damaging more than 300 homes and injuring 17 people, according to local authorities.
A house in My Ngai Ward, Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam collapses after a thunderstorm. Photo: Tong Doanh
In Dong Thap, from 4:00 pm on Tuesday, heavy rain and thunderstorms struck the communes of Thanh My, Doc Binh Kieu, Tan Phu, Ba Sao, Thap Muoi, and My Ngai Ward, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment said.
Ba Sao Commune reported eight injuries, while My Ngai Ward recorded nine.
A total of 44 houses collapsed and 243 others had their roofs torn off.
Fallen trees and debris damage homes in My Ngai Ward, Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam following a rainstorm on July 22, 2025. Photo: Tong Doanh
Among the hardest hit were Ba Sao Commune with 124 homes and My Ngai Ward with 95 homes.
Other damaged homes were reported in Thanh My, Doc Binh Kieu, Tan Phu, and Thap Muoi.
The poor weather conditions also ravaged around 400 fruit trees, including jackfruit and durian trees aged 3-6 years, in Thanh My Commune.
Military personnel assist residents in Ba Sao Commune, Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam after a rainstorm on July 22, 2025. Photo: Tong Doanh
Local authorities quickly deployed forces to assist residents in repairing damaged homes.
“We’re focusing first on immediate support, and will seek further aid for affected households,” said Huynh Van Tuan, chairman of the My Ngai administration.
In neighboring An Giang Province, a tornado accompanied by thunderstorms struck Ba Chuc Commune on Wednesday morning, causing serious damage to 19 homes and a medical station.
The tornado, which lasted around 10 minutes, impacted the hamlets of Soc Tuc, Trung An, and An Thanh.
Authorities in Ba Chuc Commune, An Giang Province, southern Vietnam deploy 140 officers to help villagers recover from a tornado on July 23, 2025. Photo: Minh Khang
No casualties were reported, but property damage was severe.
Fifteen homes were either destroyed or unroofed in Soc Tuc alone.
Local authorities immediately dispatched military, police, and border guard personnel to clear debris and provide temporary shelter.
Pham Minh Hien, secretary of the Ba Chuc Commune Party Committee, oversees storm recovery efforts on-site in An Giang Province, southern Vietnam, July 23, 2025. Photo: Minh Khang
“We mobilized 140 personnel to help residents clean up and begin repairs,” Pham Minh Hien, secretary of the Ba Chuc Commune Party Committee, said the same day.
“For homes that are beyond repair, we are assisting residents in relocating to safe shelters.”
The commune has begun providing emergency financial assistance and is requesting urgent support from the provincial administration.
Affected families with unroofed homes have received an initial cash grant of VND1 million (US$39) per household.
Minh Duy - Buu Dau - Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre News