At least 5 killed as flash floods and landslides devastate Lai Châu and Lào Cai in northern Vietnam

Ongoing heavy rainfall triggered deadly flash floods landslides between July 15-18. Severe damage to road foundations and pavements on multiple national and provincial roads in Lai Chau Province disrupted transportation at dozens of locations.

At least 14 homes were destroyed, 11 sustained severe damage exceeding 70%, and another 15 were partially damaged.

Flooding and landslides have claimed five lives, left four people missing, and injured seven others, most of them in Muong Than Commune. The People’s Committee of Lai Chau Province has declared a state of emergency.

More than 238 ha (588 acres) of rice and other crops were damaged across four northern mountainous provinces since July 15. Floodwaters also washed away and killed livestock and poultry.

National Highway 12 sustained major damage in Le Loi Commune after floodwaters washed out approximately 50 m (164 feet) of the road foundation and pavement on July 16. By the morning of July 18, construction crews had placed about 1 200 m³ (42 400 ft³) of rock fill, installed a temporary culvert, and continued reinforcing the roadbed. Authorities expect temporary traffic to resume during the afternoon of July 19.

On National Highway 32 in Muong Than Commune, flooding washed away approximately 60 m (197 feet) of the road foundation and pavement, completely severing traffic. Project Management Unit No. 2 under Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction deployed heavy equipment and transported steel gabions and large rocks to the site, with temporary access planned after floodwaters recede.

Along National Highway 4H, part of Vietnam’s border corridor road network, six landslides occurred in Muong Te Commune. Soil and rock from adjacent slopes buried sections of the highway between 25 and 50 m (82 and 164 feet) long. Cleanup operations removed the debris, allowing temporary traffic to resume by the morning of July 18.

Provincial Road DT.133 experienced two separate failures. In Tan Uyen Commune, a 30 m (98 feet) slope collapse caused extensive cracking of the roadway and created a high risk of further failure. A separate landslide blocking the road in Nam Cuoi Commune was cleared, allowing traffic to resume at 09:00 LT on July 18.

Provincial Road DT.134 was affected by four landslides in Nam So and Muong Kim communes, blocking sections between 55 and 150 m (180 and 492 feet) long. Repair crews continued working on July 18, with temporary access expected later the same day. Six additional landslides on DT.138 and DT.138C were also cleared, restoring traffic during the morning.

In neighboring Lao Cai Province, the Road Maintenance Management Board reported that heavy rain triggered landslides at at least 11 locations, disrupting transportation.

By the morning of July 18, authorities had reopened eight of the affected sites while repair work continued at the remaining three. One section of National Highway 279, which links northeastern and northwestern Vietnam, remained impassable, with no estimate for reopening.

National Highway 32 was the worst hit in Lao Cai Province, where nine cut-slope failures occurred, mainly in Mu Cang Chai and Khao Mang communes. Seven damaged locations have reopened, while heavy machinery continues repairs at the remaining two.

On National Highway 279 in Minh Luong Commune, heavy rain first deposited soil and rock across the roadway before eroding the road foundation and washing away part of the culvert embankment and downstream headwall. The highway remains closed, and traffic is being diverted around Minh Luong Commune via an alternate route.

Provincial Road DT.175B, which connects Mu Cang Chai and Muong La, was also blocked by a landslide at Km 8+120. Temporary repairs initially restored access, but continued rainfall triggered additional slope failures that again buried the roadway. Cleanup operations remain in progress.

Preliminary assessments in Lao Cai Province indicate that landslides deposited approximately 5 980 m³ (211 182 feet³)of soil and rock, including more than 5 600 m³ (197 762 feet³) along national highways.

Damage to transportation infrastructure has been estimated at VND 376 million (approximately USD 14 300). Road maintenance teams have deployed workers and heavy equipment, installed warning signs and reflective barriers at hazardous locations, and continue removing debris to restore traffic.

Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that rainfall across the northwestern region eased after peaking on July 17 but described the reduction as a temporary lull within the ongoing monsoon event.

From the night of July 18 through July 19, moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast across northern mountainous and midland regions, with widespread totals of 50–100 mm (2–4 inches) and isolated accumulations exceeding 250 mm (9.8 inches). With mountain slopes already saturated after several days of rainfall, authorities warned that the threat of flash floods and landslides remains high, particularly in areas already affected by the disaster.

References:

¹ Heavy rain triggers widespread landslides on roads across Lai Chau and Lao Cai – VN Express – July 18, 2026

² Lai Chau declares state of emergency over natural disasters in Muong Than commune – Vietnam Pictoral – July 17, 2026

Rishav Kothari

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.

• Rishav Kothari

  8 dead, 34 missing after landslide buries more than 10 buildings in Chongqing, China
• Rishav Kothari

  Enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms issued for parts of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Lower Great Lakes on July 18
• Rishav Kothari

  Rare Atlantic Niña develops as strengthening El Niño points to quieter 2026 Atlantic hurricane season
• Rishav Kothari

  Two killed and 230 rescued as catastrophic flash floods strike Texas