Seeing the rapid rise in floodwaters, Nguyen Thi Oanh, 62, from Nong Truong hamlet, Thach Binh commune, quickly moved her belongings and livestock onto a makeshift raft prepared by her family, then pulled it to a safe area.

As of the morning of 17/9, Thanh Hoa province is grappling with severe flooding, which has deeply submerged over 340 households, primarily in riverside and low-lying communes such as Kim Tan, Nong Cong, Cam Thuy, and Ba Thuoc. In response to the escalating situation, authorities initiated emergency evacuations last night and this morning, moving over 400 households, totaling nearly 1,700 people, to safer locations.

Floodwaters have surrounded and isolated many hamlets in Thanh Vinh commune, situated along the Buoi River. The main road into Da Dun village in Kim Tan commune is now submerged by over half a meter, making it impassable for residents.

Truong Van Khanh, from Kim Tan commune, along with his relatives, herded his flock of chickens into a coop, then onto a raft, moving them to dry ground to minimize damage.

A group of residents in Kim Tan commune used motorboats to evacuate to a safe location as the Buoi River's water levels were forecast to continue rising.

In addition to livestock and poultry, residents of Kim Tan commune also prioritized moving electronic devices early to prevent damage.

Not far away, Bui Duc Tuan, from hamlet 2 Thanh Truc in Kim Tan commune, used ropes to secure a wooden bed, anticipating rising waters might sweep it away. Tuan stated that upon seeing the floodwaters, his family quickly gathered their belongings and moved them to the second floor. The four members of his household are currently staying with relatives.

Many houses in Kim Tan commune are currently submerged by over one meter, and families have been ordered to secure their homes and evacuate urgently.

The floods have also severely affected infrastructure and education. Thanh My Kindergarten in Thanh Vinh commune is submerged by over one meter. For the past two days, numerous schools in flood-affected areas of Thanh Hoa, including Kim Tan, Nghi Son, and Nong Cong, have closed, allowing students to stay home to avoid the floods.

Agricultural areas have suffered significant losses. Sugarcane fields in Thanh Vinh commune are nearly completely submerged. Across Thanh Hoa province, nearly 2,160 hectares of rice and other crops have been damaged, with over 1,170 hectares of rice deeply submerged.

Transportation networks are severely disrupted. National Highway 15C, the section passing through Pu Nhi commune, has suffered severe subsidence. Today, authorities blocked the road, preventing people and vehicles from passing to mitigate risks. National Highways 16, 217, 1A, and numerous provincial roads in Thanh Hoa have also experienced landslides and flooding at multiple points, disrupting traffic.

Thanh Hoa, along with the Northern and North Central regions, is within the impact zone of a tropical depression combined with a tropical convergence zone and cold air. Since 13/9, the area has experienced heavy rainfall, leading to deep flooding in many locations.

Le Hoang