HANOI, VIETNAM – Vietnam's northern mountainous provinces are currently battling devastating floods and landslides triggered by relentless heavy rainfall, with the situation described as exceedingly complex and dangerous. The provinces of Điện Biên and Sơn La have been hit hardest, suffering severe losses in both human life and property.
As of this evening, authorities in Điện Biên province have confirmed that at least 12 people are dead or missing as a direct result of the natural disaster. The torrential rains have saturated the landscape, leading to powerful flash floods that have swept through villages and triggered numerous landslides, burying homes and blocking critical roadways.
The scale of the disaster has left many communities completely cut off from the outside world. Swollen rivers and widespread landslides have rendered roads impassable, creating numerous isolated pockets where residents are stranded without access to essential supplies and medical care. The complete isolation of these areas poses a significant challenge to rescue and relief operations.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Vietnamese government has officially declared a state of emergency in Sơn La province. This declaration mobilizes all levels of government and emergency services to focus on disaster response and mitigation efforts.
The People's Army of Vietnam has been fully mobilized to spearhead the search, rescue, and relief operations. In a significant deployment of resources, military helicopters from the Army Corps 18 have been dispatched to the region. These aircraft are proving crucial for conducting aerial reconnaissance to locate stranded individuals and for airlifting essential supplies, such as food, water, and medicine, to the thousands of people currently isolated by the floodwaters.
Rescue teams are working around the clock in treacherous conditions, racing against time to find the missing and provide aid to the affected populations. The immediate focus remains on reaching the isolated communities and preventing further loss of life as the region braces for potentially more rainfall.
The Anh
