One dies, thousands isolated as flooding ravages northern Vietnam

Hanoi and the provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An have been battered by torrential downpours over the past three days due to the influence of an intertropical convergence zone and eastern wind disturbance.

In the northern Ninh Binh, many areas have recorded rainfall of up to 405 millimeters since Thursday. Due to rising water levels, Nho Quan and Gia Vien Districts have been heavily flooded while some roads isolated.

According to local authorities, 1,180 families across both districts have been affected by flooding.

“It rained heavily and the floodwater was rising too quickly, so my family had to stay up all night to move things up,” said Tran Van Dong, a resident in Gia Vien District.

A group of children row a boat on a flooded street in Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province, September 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Son

In Thanh Hoa in the north central region, a 37-year-old man on Friday was swept away by the raging torrents of water while fishing along a river in Nong Cong District. His body was found on Saturday after many hours of searching.

Some districts in the neighboring Nghe An have been hit by heavy rains with rainfall of up to 375 millimeters over the past three days.

A 13-year-old student was swept away by the floodwater while grazing cows by the Giang River. Rescue forces are searching for his body.

In Hoa Binh Province that borders Hanoi, a 37-year-old man was reported missing after being swept away by the floodwater.

Some mountainous roads are currently isolated due to landslides.

Over 300 houses in Chuong My District on the outskirts of Hanoi are heavily inundated due to heavy rains while many areas are facing landslides.

Local authorities have set up warning signs to prevent residents from entering landslide areas.

Hanoi’s Chuong My District is a low area, often affected by flooding and the flow of Bui River.