Over the past 24 hours, from 7 p.m. on 29/6 to 8 a.m. on 30/6, heavy rain fell across many areas of Northern Vietnam. The highest recorded rainfall amounts were 265 mm in Xuan Minh 2 (Tuyen Quang), 208 mm in Hong Ha (Quang Ninh), and 166 mm in Ngoc Chan (Lao Cai).

From the evening of 26/6 to the morning of 30/6, some locations recorded over 300 mm of rain. These included Xuan Minh 2 (Tuyen Quang) with 363 mm, Xuan Lap (Tuyen Quang) with 311 mm, Quan Chu (Thai Nguyen) with 269 mm, Hong Ha (Quang Ninh) with 256 mm, and Thong Nong and Can Yen (Cao Bang) with 233 mm and 230 mm respectively.

The Vietnam Disaster Management Authority reported significant damage from floodwaters in Tuyen Quang and Cao Bang. In Cao Bang alone, from 25/6 to 30/6, heavy rain impacted 33 out of 56 communes and wards. This affected 586 homes, with one house collapsing, 481 houses flooded, 81 houses threatened by embankment landslides, and 10 households requiring emergency evacuation.

Floodwaters flowing into Quang Trung commune, Cao Bang province on 29/6. Photo: Cao Bang Provincial Military Command

The floods also submerged over 713 hectares of crops and resulted in the death or sweeping away of 170 livestock and poultry. Additionally, two national routes, three provincial roads, and dozens of rural roads experienced landslides, isolating communities.

Given the complex developments of the floods, the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee issued an urgent directive today. It instructed local authorities to continue responding to and mitigating consequences, review all areas at risk of landslides, and decisively evacuate residents from dangerous zones. The directive also prohibits residents from returning until safety is ensured.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicts continued heavy rain from now until the night of 1/7 in Northern Vietnam's mountainous and midland regions, along with Quang Ninh and Hai Phong. Common rainfall amounts are expected to be 50-100 mm, with local totals exceeding 250 mm. Other areas of Northern Vietnam will see 20-50 mm of rain, with some places receiving over 100 mm. Rain will be concentrated in the late afternoon, night, and morning, with a risk of high-intensity downpours exceeding 100 mm in three hours.

The meteorological agency also warns of potential whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong gusts during thunderstorms. Heavy rain in Northern Vietnam is expected to gradually decrease from 2/7.

Due to prolonged rain, water levels on several rivers in Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, and Cao Bang are rising. Some stations on the Gam, Thuong, Cau, and Bang Giang rivers have exceeded alert level one, with some approaching alert level two.

From today until 1/7, small rivers and the upper reaches of rivers in Northern Vietnam are likely to experience a flood surge with a range of 2-4 meters. The meteorological agency warns of a high risk of flash floods and landslides in Northern Vietnam's mountainous and midland provinces, as well as inundation in low-lying areas and urban centers during high-intensity rainfall.

Gia Chinh