Severe floods and landslides claim 3 lives in northern Vietnam

Flooding and landslides in Ha Giang province, Vietnam, claimed three lives and left one person missing from June 8 to June 10, 2024. Continuous rainfall caused severe damage to roads, partially submerged thousands of homes, and cut off access to three communes.

Flooding and landslides in Ha Giang province, Vietnam, have resulted in at least three fatalities and one person missing between Saturday night, June 8, and Monday, June 10, 2024. The victims include a 3-year-old boy, his father, and a 42-year-old woman, according to local reports.

Continuous rainfall since June 8 caused severe damage to roads and partially submerged thousands of homes. Rainfall measurements from the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting indicate amounts ranging from 112.6 mm (4.43 inches) to 295.4 mm (11.63 inches) between June 9 and June 10.

State media images and videos showed water gushing down steep roads, residents climbing onto rooftops awaiting rescue, and vehicles abandoned in the floodwaters.

Access to three communes bordering China was cut off due to landslides, complicating rescue efforts.

Serious flooding was also reported in the northern port city of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh province over the weekend. This region includes the UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay, further complicating the situation with the impact on a significant tourist destination.

100 to 150 mm (3.9 – 5.9 inches) of rainfall is expected in the region from June 14 and 17. Risks of more floods and landslides are very high.

References:

¹ Floods kill at least 3 in northern Vietnam, heavy rains forecast – Reuters – June 10, 2024

² Flooding and landslides kill three in Vietnam’s north – AFP – June 10, 2024

Featured image credit: VNA/VNS, Đức Thọ