According to Nghe An province's Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, and Civil Defense, three communes – Huu Kiem, Nhon Mai, and Muong Tip (formerly in Ky Son district) – are completely isolated. These communes, inhabited primarily by ethnic minorities, face significant challenges due to their difficult terrain of mountains, rivers, and streams.

Thirteen communes remain partially isolated, with communication still possible, but residents must travel on foot through forests, rivers, and streams to reach other areas. These communes include: Muong Xen, Chieu Luu, Na Loi, My Ly, Bac Ly, Keng Du (formerly in Ky Son district); Tuong Duong, Luong Minh, Yen Hoa, Huu Khuong, Nga My (formerly in Tuong Duong district); and Anh Son Dong, Vinh Tuong (formerly in Anh Son district).

Authorities have confirmed 4 deaths caused by drowning and landslides. A 6-year-old girl in Bac Ly commune is still missing.

A damaged house in Co Ha village, Nhon Mai commune, formerly in Tuong Duong district, after a landslide on 22/7. Photo: Duc Hung

A damaged house in Co Ha village, Nhon Mai commune, formerly in Tuong Duong district, after a landslide on 22/7. Photo: Duc Hung

1,170 houses in mountainous communes such as Nga My, Nhon Mai, Yen Hoa, Na Loi, My Ly, Bac Ly, and others have been completely destroyed or damaged, with roofs blown off due to rising floodwaters, flash floods, and landslides. After days of enduring the floods, residents in these areas are running low on food. On 24/7, the 916th Air Regiment deployed an Mi-171 helicopter to deliver aid to Nghe An.

Nghe An province's Department of Construction reported 45 locations on national and provincial highways affected by landslides and road wash-outs. National Highway 16, the main road connecting Son La, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An provinces and the sole route from the center of the former Tuong Duong district to remote communes and bordering districts like Ky Son and Que Phong, has suffered the most damage with hundreds of major landslides. Repairs are expected to take years.

National Highway 16 paralyzed by landslides. Video: Duc Hung

Heavy rain continued Tuesday afternoon in Tuong Duong commune (formerly in Tuong Duong district), Muong Xen commune (formerly in Ky Son district), and surrounding areas.

National Highway 7, a vital artery in north-central Vietnam, experienced landslides and embankment erosion in multiple locations. Tam Quang commune suffered nearly 60 meters of landslide damage, while several sections in Tuong Duong commune were also severely eroded, with some stretches spanning over 300 meters in length and 1-3 meters in width, washing away half of the road surface. Guardrails collapsed into the river, and some parts of the roadbed were hollowed out. Traffic on National Highway 7 is currently facing difficulties.

Embankment erosion on National Highway 7 near Tuong Duong commune, formerly in Tuong Duong district, on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Duc Hung

Embankment erosion on National Highway 7 near Tuong Duong commune, formerly in Tuong Duong district, on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Duc Hung

From the night of 21/7 to the end of 22/7, Typhoon Wipha brought heavy rain to Nghe An province, with rainfall generally ranging from 100-200 mm, reaching 259 mm in Quy Chau. Flooding from upstream combined with water discharged from hydropower plants caused widespread flooding and flash floods in mountainous districts such as Ky Son, Con Cuong, Quy Chau, and Que Phong.

Duc Hung