Severe flooding in central Vietnam leaves 12 dead, 34 000 homes flooded
Severe flooding in central Vietnam, triggered by Tropical Storm “Trami” and a sweeping cold front, has killed 12 people, injured seven, and damaged thousands of homes and hectares of crops in Quang Binh Province since late October. Authorities are now cautioning residents about ongoing risks from rising river levels and additional rain expected through mid-November.
Destruction caused by Tropical Storm "Trami". Image credit: SBS News
Central Vietnam experienced severe flooding triggered by heavy rains from Tropical Storm “Trami” and a cold front that has heavily impacted Quang Binh Province. As of October 31, the flooding has resulted in 12 deaths, seven injuries, and significant property damage, according to local authorities. Five ships have sunk, and over 34 000 homes are flooded.
The worst damage is concentrated in Le Thuy District, which reported seven fatalities. Quang Ninh District reported four deaths, and Dong Hoi City reported one.
Five of the injured are residents of Le Thuy, and two are from Quang Ninh. Le Thuy District remains heavily impacted, with over 1 500 homes submerged, and floodwaters completely isolating one village.
Floodwaters began to recede in some areas by the afternoon of October 31, but water levels at the Kien Giang River station in Le Thuy remained elevated at 2.35 m (7.7 feet).
From October 25 to 29, the province experienced heavy rainfall, with Song Thai Lake recording 1 210 mm (47.6 inches) and An Ma Lake 870 mm (34.3 inches). At its peak, the Kien Giang River in Le Thuy reached 4.14 m (13.6 feet), causing widespread flooding.
Approximately 9 290 families have been evacuated, and nearly 34 500 homes are submerged in Quang Binh. Le Thuy District sustained the heaviest damage, with around 20 000 homes affected.
Floods destroyed 791 ha (1 955.8 acres) of crops, over 70 500 poultry, and nearly 500 livestock while damaging 716 ha (1 769.3 acres) of fish farms. Infrastructure, including roads, sea dikes, and coastal areas, has also been affected, with estimated losses of around VND500 billion (USD19.7 million), according to the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue.
This recent flooding is the second major flood in Quang Binh Province in four years. In October 2020, extensive flooding submerged large portions of Quang Ninh and Le Thuy Districts, reaching depths of 2 – 4 m (6.6 – 13.1 feet) and lasting over ten days, resulting in 25 fatalities and economic losses of VND3.5 trillion (USD138 million).
The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warns of ongoing flooding risks along rivers from Ha Tinh to Binh Dinh provinces through November 9. Flood levels on rivers in Quang Binh and Quang Tri are expected to reach alert levels 2 – 3, while other rivers from Ha Tinh to Binh Dinh may reach alert levels 1 – 2 or higher.
These flood levels indicate an elevated risk of flash floods, landslides, and flooding in low-lying areas, especially along steep slopes in mountainous regions between Nghe An and Binh Dinh. Urban areas are also expected to face increased flood risks, especially from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai.
Authorities have issued warnings for residents across Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, and Quang Tri Provinces, as well as towns and cities in Thua Thien-Hue, advising them to stay cautious due to the risks of flash floods, landslides, and sudden land subsidence during heavy rains.
Heavy rains are expected to continue in the region through November 10, with the potential for severe flooding due to a combination of meteorological factors, including a low-pressure system in the East Sea, ongoing cold air surges, and a strong easterly wind belt.
Mai Van Khiem, head of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, noted that this weather pattern could lead to large-scale flooding in northern and central provinces, increasing risks of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas. Given saturated soils from late October rains, risks are elevated along river valleys and in hilly regions.
Further heavy rain events are anticipated to affect the central region through the remainder of November, starting after November 10.
References:
1 Từ ngày 4-9/11, đỉnh lũ các sông ở Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị lên mức báo động 2-3 – Vietnam Plus – November 4, 2024
2 Central Vietnam braces for week-long heavy rains – VN Express -November 4, 2024
3 12 dead, thousands evacuated amid widespread flooding in Vietnam’s central province – VN Express -November 4, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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