Villages submerged after heavy rains trigger flooding in northern Vietnam

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, heavy rain continued across the northern mountainous and midland regions from Tuesday night to July 1, with particularly intense rainfall recorded in Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, and Cao Bang Provinces.

In Cao Bang, flooding caused by the downpours inundated 83 houses in Thong Nong, Can Yen, and Thanh Long Communes under 0.3-1.0 meters of water.

Police in Can Yen Commune said they continuously received emergency calls from residents between 1:00 am and 7:00 am on Wednesday requesting assistance.

Despite rapidly rising floodwaters, local police quickly reached the affected areas to carry out rescue operations and help residents evacuate themselves and their belongings.

Officers assisted an elderly couple, both over 60 years old, from Ban Ngam Village after their house, located near a stream, became isolated by fast-flowing floodwaters.

Rescuers also evacuated a man in his 60s from Phieng Pan Village whose home, situated near a swollen stream and surrounded by flooded rice fields and cornfields, had become inaccessible.

In addition to evacuating residents from dangerous areas, police helped move valuable property to minimize damage caused by the flooding.

Nong Thi Ly, vice-chairwoman of the People's Committee of Can Yen Commune, said on Wednesday afternoon that heavy rain from Tuesday night through Wednesday morning inundated several villages, with Ngoc Sy Village among the hardest hit.

"On July 1, a commune delegation visited Ngoc Sy Village to inspect the situation and direct flood recovery efforts. By the afternoon, floodwaters had begun to recede, although slowly, and more than 20 households remained inundated. Affected families have been temporarily accommodated at relatives' homes in higher areas," Ly said.

According to statistics from the Cao Bang Department of Agriculture and Environment, flooding since June 28 had damaged or inundated more than 200 houses by midday on July 1.

Nearly 400 hectares of rice, crops, and other agricultural land were affected, while numerous roads suffered landslides and damage.

Initial losses were estimated at approximately VND17 billion (US$650,000).

In Lao Cai, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment reported that intense rainfall caused streams to rise rapidly, triggering localized flooding in several low-lying areas along waterways. Rice fields, crops, and aquaculture ponds were inundated.

In Au Lau Ward alone, heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds caused the Ngoi Lau Stream to overflow, flooding 34 homes.

Another 10 houses in Muong Khuong, Vo Lao, Phan Long, and Thuong Ha Communes were affected by landslides.

Meanwhile, in Tuyen Quang, flooding and landslides affected 63 houses, including 21 that required emergency evacuation.

More than 150 hectares of rice fields and crops were damaged, while landslides disrupted traffic at 80 locations and toppled nine electricity poles.

Damage in the province was estimated at around VND17 billion.