HANOI, VIETNAM – The severe flooding situation in the northern mountainous provinces of Vietnam remains critical as prolonged torrential rains continue to batter the region. National hydrometeorological agencies issued urgent warnings this afternoon, stating that water levels on major rivers, including the Thao River and the Lo River, are continuing to rise, elevating the risk of dangerous landslides and widespread inundation to an alert level.
For days, the region has been hit by relentless downpours, leading to significant water accumulation and causing rivers to burst their banks. The Thao and Lo rivers, which are major tributaries of the Red River Delta system, are now swelling to critical levels, threatening surrounding communities, agricultural land, and vital infrastructure.
Authorities have issued emergency alerts, warning that the saturated soil on hillsides and mountains poses an extremely high risk of landslides. This is a common and deadly threat in Vietnam's mountainous regions during the monsoon season, capable of burying homes and blocking crucial transportation routes. Residents in high-risk areas are being urged to evacuate to safer locations.
The widespread flooding has already caused significant disruption. Reports from provinces like Thanh Hoa and Lang Son, which were hit earlier, show thousands of homes submerged, forcing families to flee with whatever belongings they could carry. Rice paddies and other crops have been inundated, threatening the livelihoods of local farming communities.
Rescue and emergency response teams have been deployed to the most affected areas to provide aid, evacuate residents, and reinforce riverbanks. However, the ongoing heavy rain is severely hampering their efforts. The forecast for the coming days indicates that more rain is expected, suggesting that the situation may worsen before it improves.
