At least three people have been killed and more than 16,000 homes inundated after days of heavy rain triggered widespread flooding and landslides across northern and north-central Vietnam, according to Vietnamese authorities.
The reported death toll was recorded as of September 17, when three members of the same family were killed after a landslide buried them in Da Bac Commune in Phu Tho Province. The disaster has also damaged homes, roads, schools, irrigation systems and other infrastructure.
Authorities reported that 16,310 houses had been flooded, with Thanh Hoa recording the highest number at 8,419. Other affected areas include Ninh Binh, Hanoi, Nghe An and Phu Tho.
The flooding has also caused significant damage to agriculture. More than 22,499 hectares of rice, crops and vegetables were inundated or damaged, while another 2,172 hectares of other crops were affected. More than 1,175 hectares of aquaculture facilities also suffered flooding or damage.
Transportation has been severely disrupted, with 11 landslide sites blocking national and provincial roads and another 30 locations affected by flooding. The Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City railway was also submerged to a depth of about one metre along part of the route, forcing passengers to travel by road through the flooded section.
Vietnamese authorities have mobilized emergency personnel and ordered local agencies to monitor river levels, strengthen warnings and evacuate residents from areas at risk of flash floods and landslides.
Meteorological authorities have warned that heavy rain could continue in parts of the country, increasing the risk of further flooding and landslides.
The latest disaster highlights the vulnerability of communities and agricultural areas to extreme rainfall, particularly in regions where flooding can rapidly overwhelm homes, transportation networks and critical infrastructure.
Swifteradio.com
