CaliToday (23/9/2025): Northern and North-Central Vietnam are facing a severe crisis as historic and devastating floods swamp the region, the catastrophic aftermath of Super Typhoon Ragasa. Although the typhoon weakened to a tropical depression after making landfall, it has unleashed a deluge of rainfall, inundating cities, isolating communities, and prompting a massive emergency response.
Ragasa, which had been one of the most powerful typhoons recorded in the region in decades, slammed into Vietnam's coast late Monday. While its destructive winds have subsided, the storm system has stalled over the region, unleashing what officials are calling a "water bomb" on an area already saturated by monsoon rains.
Catastrophic Flooding Engulfs the Capital and Provinces
The consequences of the storm's torrential rains are being felt most acutely across the Red River Delta and mountainous northern provinces.
In Hanoi, the nation's capital, many major streets and districts have been transformed into rivers. Incessant downpours have overwhelmed drainage systems, causing widespread, severe flooding that has paralyzed traffic and forced residents to evacuate their homes by boat. Images from the city show cars submerged up to their roofs and citizens wading through waist-deep water in what is being described as one of the worst flooding events in the city's recent history.
The situation is even more perilous in the mountainous provinces of Yen Bai, Son La, and Hoa Binh. Authorities have issued the highest-level warnings for flash floods and landslides. The immense volume of rain has destabilized hillsides and caused river levels to rise at an alarming rate, threatening to sweep away homes and infrastructure.
Rescue operations are in full swing, with the Vietnamese military and emergency services deployed to evacuate thousands of people from high-risk areas. However, many remote villages have been completely cut off by floodwaters and landslides, complicating relief efforts.
A Storm of Historic Proportions
Super Typhoon Ragasa made its approach as a Category 5-equivalent storm, with sustained winds reaching terrifying speeds before it weakened upon entering the Gulf of Tonkin. The primary threat, as forecasted by meteorologists, was always the colossal amount of precipitation it carried. Some regions have reported rainfall totals exceeding 500-700 millimeters (20-28 inches) in just 24 hours, an amount that would be challenging for any landscape to absorb.
The government is now focused on a massive-scale response, prioritizing the rescue of stranded residents and the prevention of further loss of life. The long and difficult task of assessing the full extent of the damage to homes, agriculture, and infrastructure will begin once the floodwaters start to recede. For now, Northern Vietnam remains submerged, grappling with the devastating legacy of a historic storm.
