On the morning of 24/7, water from mountain crevices rushed down along channels and erosion marks created by the previous flash flood. This torrent, carrying soil and rocks, swept through Team 11 and then overflowed national highway 32. The water was murky and flowed rapidly, disrupting the ongoing recovery operations.

Team 11, Muong Than commune, previously suffered severe damage in the flash flood on 17/7. Statistics from Muong Than commune recorded seven deaths, one missing person, dozens of homes swept away or damaged, and approximately 800 meters of national highway 32 destroyed.

After national highway 32 was cleared, authorities and residents were actively engaged in recovery when the floods returned, forcing a halt to their efforts.

Floods surge into Muong Than on the morning of 24/7. *Photo: Lai Chau Provincial Police*

The People's Committee of Muong Than commune is mobilizing personnel to inspect the scene, set up warning ropes, and deploy 24-hour patrols at hazardous locations. Authorities advise residents not to travel through the Team 11 area, avoid gathering to watch the floods, salvage wood, catch fish, or approach rising rivers and streams.

Heavy rain caused landslides and localized traffic jams on national highway 32 through Than Uyen and Muong Than areas. The Traffic Police Department of Lai Chau Provincial Police is coordinating with road management units to mobilize personnel and vehicles for traffic diversion and promptly address incidents when weather conditions permit.

Police advise residents to limit travel through high-landslide-risk areas unless essential. They also recommend monitoring weather and traffic conditions and complying with instructions from authorities at checkpoints.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, last night Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, and Son La received 30-70 mm of rain, with some localized areas exceeding 70 mm. Some locations experienced heavy rainfall: Minh Quang (Tuyen Quang) 121 mm, Dai Phuc (Thai Nguyen) 120 mm, Phu Ninh (Phu Tho) 88 mm, Muong Mit (Lai Chau) 55 mm.

Forecasts indicate that from the morning of 24/7 to 25/7, the Northern region will continue to experience 40-100 mm of rain, with some localized areas exceeding 200 mm. Heavy rain could trigger flash floods in small rivers and streams, landslides in mountainous and midland areas, and inundation in low-lying riverside regions.

Over the next 24-48 hours, water levels in Tuyen Quang and Thac Ba lakes are forecast to rise. Upstream sections of the Thao, Chay, Lo, Cau, and Thuong rivers could reach alert levels one to two, with some areas exceeding alert level two.

Gia Chinh