Vietnam’s Thai Nguyen floods break historic records; stranded residents send GPS coordinates to seek rescue

The Cau River reached a record 29.9 meters at the Gia Bay hydrological station early on Wednesday, surpassing last year’s flood peak by 1.09 meters, according to the Thai Nguyen hydro-meteorological station.

This marks the highest recorded level in the area’s history, officials said.

Heavy rains brought by the remnants of storm Matmo inundated large parts of Thai Nguyen’s center and surrounding wards and communes.

Flood depths in Vo Nhai Commune reached three to four meters, submerging the first floors of houses.

Residents trapped on upper floors reported shortages of food and drinking water.

Some reportedly fired red signal flares to call for help, while others shared real-time locations via mobile devices to alert rescuers.

In Linh Son Ward, one resident wrote on social media that floodwaters had nearly reached the second floor of her home as she, an elderly family member, and an infant were waiting for rescue boats.

“I lost contact with the rest of my family. I can only come here [on social media] to call for help and hope rescuers will come,” she wrote.

Authorities have mobilized military units, rescue boats, and local volunteers to evacuate isolated households.

Provincial officials warned that floodwaters may remain high for several days due to continuing rain and upstream run-off.

Downstream in Bac Ninh Province, officials issued flood warnings for the Thuong River, which may exceed historic levels last seen in 1986.