Residents of Nghe An flee flooding overnight

Heavy rains from Typhoon Wipha forced hundreds of residents in Nghe An's mountainous communes to evacuate overnight, leaving many areas isolated by floodwaters and causing significant property damage.

Dozens of houses in Muong Xen commune were flooded to a depth of more than 1.5 meters, damaging electronics and sweeping away machinery, belongings, documents, and computers. The entire Muong Xen commune lost power last night. (Photo: Duc Hung)

At midnight on 23/7, National Highway 7 passing through the Muong Xen, Tuong Duong, and Con Cuong communes (Nghe An) was flooded to a depth of more than half a meter. Fallen trees and debris blocked the roads, causing traffic jams and making passage impossible for many vehicles.

The previous afternoon, heavy rain caused rivers and streams to swell, rapidly flowing downstream.

“The rain continued all night, and the swirling water was very dangerous. We were on duty all night, guiding people and vehicles to higher ground, preventing them from crossing flooded areas where they could be swept away at any moment," a traffic police officer said.

A commune official said the water rose extremely quickly, reaching over 5 cm in just 30 minutes. People only had time to grab a few clothes, their computers, and phones before seeking shelter. Heavier items like desktop computers, photocopiers, and refrigerators couldn't be carried and were damaged by the water. (Photo: Duc Hung)

Despite taking precautions, many residents' belongings were swept away by the floodwaters. A refrigerator was carried onto National Highway 7 and swept downstream. (Photo: Duc Hung)

A resident of Muong Xen commune used a cart to move their pigs to safety from the flood.

At 7:25 PM on 22/7, 9 hours after making landfall in the Hung Yen - Thanh Hoa region, Typhoon Wipha weakened into a tropical depression, continuing to bring heavy rain to Thanh Hoa and Nghe An. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that the tropical depression had winds of level 7, gusting to level 9, in the Ninh Binh - Thanh Hoa area.

On National Highway 48, passing through Quy Chau and Chau Tien communes in the former Quy Chau district, floodwaters from rising rivers reached nearly a meter deep at around 10:00 PM on 22/7. Several cars stalled while attempting to cross this area and had to be towed by authorities. (Photo: Duc Hung)

In several communes bordering Muong Xen, police and local authorities went door-to-door, urging residents to move to higher ground and assisting them in relocating essential belongings before the floodwaters arrived.

As of the morning of 23/7, Nghe An had evacuated 591 households in the communes of Nhon Mai, Huu Kiem, Tam Thai, Tam Hop, Muong Quang, Huoi Tu, Que Phong, Nga My, Tien Phong, and Muong Xen to prevent the risk of flash floods, landslides, and localized flooding.

Despite taking precautions, many residents' belongings were swept away by the floodwaters. A refrigerator was carried onto National Highway 7 and swept downstream. (Photo: Duc Hung)

At several offices and public buildings in Muong Xen commune, water flooded rooms and swept belongings out into the courtyards. Officials worked quickly to gather and salvage items.

The Nghe An Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, and Civil Defense reported that authorities had recorded one person missing in Nam Can commune due to the floodwaters. 161 houses were damaged, two commune headquarters were flooded, and there were 45 landslides reported on national and provincial roads due to the impact of Typhoon Wipha.

At 1:00 AM on 23/7, rising floodwaters reached halfway up the gate of My Ly 2 Semi-Boarding Ethnic Minority Primary School (Nghe An). Inside, water flooded the second floor of single-story buildings, damaging all the furniture. The damage included 12 televisions, 5 refrigerators, 22 computers, 1.7 tons of rice stored for semi-boarding students, and numerous waterlogged documents.

“Over many years, thanks to the support of benefactors and the government, the school has been able to accumulate these resources, but the flood has left teachers and students with nothing,” shared Mr. Tran Si Ha, the school principal.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, on 23/7, heavy rain continued to concentrate in the southern part of the Northern Delta, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An, with common rainfall amounts of 100-200 mm and some areas exceeding 300 mm. Other areas in the Northern Delta and Ha Tinh experienced rainfall of 20-50 mm, with some locations exceeding 100 mm. There is a risk of heavy rain exceeding 150 mm within 3 hours, potentially leading to flooding, flash floods, and landslides.

Residents of Muong Xen commune move their belongings to escape the floodwaters as they rise to over half a meter deep, late on 22/7. Video: Dao Tho

Residents of Muong Xen commune move their belongings to escape the floodwaters as they rise to over half a meter deep, late on 22/7. Video: Dao Tho

Duc Hung

By VnExpress: https://vnexpress.net/nguoi-dan-nghe-an-trang-dem-chay-lu-4917680.html