The Cold Front Brings Heavy Rain: Stay Alert for Flash Floods and Landslides in Northern Mountainous Regions

As of September 23, 2024, at 7 a.m., the reported damage inflicted by Typhoon No. 4 was significant. The Vietnam Dyke Management and Flood Control Department reported three fatalities in Nghe An province, where flash floods swept away residents, and their bodies have now been recovered. The storm also left 261 homes damaged across central provinces, with the highest number in Thanh Hoa (113), followed by Nghe An (93), Ha Tinh (26), Thua Thien Hue (12), and Quang Nam (17).

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Storm No. 4 caused agricultural damage, with some areas of rice, crops, and aquaculture flooded and damaged, and livestock and poultry killed. There was also localized flooding on roads and at low-lying underpasses in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Binh provinces.

On September 21, 2024, in An Giang Province, a landslide occurred on the south bank of the Xang Canal in Long Thanh ward, Long Chau ward, Tan Chau town, with a length of about 20 meters and a depth of 4 meters. Immediately after the landslide, the local authorities organized a cordon to restrict people from entering the dangerous area and mobilized forces to support residents in moving their assets to safety.

COLD AIR BRINGS MORE RAIN

From September 19 to the morning of September 23, the northern and central regions experienced heavy to very heavy rainfall, with average amounts of 150-250mm. Some stations recorded higher totals, including Soc Mu (Yen Bai) with 276mm, Lung Van (Hoa Binh) with 343mm, Tan Ky (Nghe An) with 453mm, Dua (Nghe An) with 442mm, Son Kim 1 (Ha Tinh) with 306mm, and Trong Hoa (Quang Binh) with 370mm.

On September 23, cold air continued to affect the northwestern and north-central regions. The northern region and Thanh Hoa province experienced cooler temperatures, with mountainous areas seeing colder conditions.

During this cold spell, minimum temperatures in the northern region and Thanh Hoa province ranged from 20-23 degrees Celsius, with some mountainous areas dropping below 19 degrees. On September 23, heavy rain with thunderstorms occurred in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, with localized very heavy rain. From Ha Tinh to Thua Thien-Hue, heavy to very heavy rain with thunderstorms was observed, with localized accumulations exceeding 120mm. From September 24 onwards, the heavy rain gradually eased in the central region.

Landslide area in Lung Ly village, Ca Thanh commune, and Lung Sung village, Yen Lac commune, Cao Bang province.

Local authorities are monitoring forecasts and implementing response plans for the low-pressure area and heavy rain in the coming days. The north-central provinces are also dealing with the aftermath of Storm No. 4 and the floods. Thanh Hoa province has evacuated 662 households (2,423 people) to safer areas.

Regarding international aid, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that over 35 governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations have provided or pledged approximately $16 million in emergency assistance to address the impacts of Storm No. 3. On September 22, 2024, the Ministry received the second batch of relief goods (including flashlights, kitchen toolsets, and blankets) from Samaritan Purse.

As the cold air continues to bring rain, there is still a risk of flooding and landslides in the northern mountainous provinces. The National Committee for Disaster Response, Search and Rescue, and the National Directorate for Water Resources Safety request that the northern, north-central, Central Highlands, and southern regions implement response plans for heavy rain. The southern provinces along the Mekong River should review their response plans for flooding and riverbank erosion due to high tides and upstream flooding.

The northern provinces need to ensure the safety and repair of dykes, address the damage caused by Storm No. 3 and post-storm flooding, search for missing people, and clean up the environment to stabilize the lives of the people. The north-central provinces are focused on recovering from Storm No. 4.

CAO BANG PROVINCE ADDRESSES DISASTER IMPACTS

On September 22, 2024, a working group from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, led by Minister Le Minh Hoan, inspected the recovery efforts and provided encouragement to the people affected by the recent rain and floods in Cao Bang province. The province’s welcoming party included Mr. Hoang Xuan Anh, Vice Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, and Mr. Hoang Van Thach, Provincial Committee member and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee.

The working group inspected the site of the landslide in Lung Ly village, Ca Thanh commune, and Lung Sung village, Yen Lac commune, Nguyen Binh district. Due to the influence of Storm No. 3, landslides occurred in these two villages, completely burying 12 houses of 12 households, resulting in 20 deaths.

Immediately after the disaster, the province directed the on-site recovery efforts in Nguyen Binh district. They established a forward command post in the district to directly command and deploy tasks related to the search and rescue operations and the urgent treatment of landslides blocking important transport routes in the province. More than 7,600 people and armed forces were mobilized to quickly relocate residents from dangerous areas. Measures were also implemented to address landslides on transport routes, especially National Highway 34, and to restore the power supply and communication systems.

 

“To date, Nguyen Binh district has completed the leveling of the ground and the relocation of affected people to 80 temporary military tents while waiting for the construction of a new resettlement area. The construction of the new resettlement area in Lung Ly village has commenced, and a suitable location and plan for the dispersed resettlement area in Lung Sung village are being selected, respecting the wishes of the people while ensuring safety.”

Mr. Hoang Xuan Anh, Vice Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee of Cao Bang.

However, to promptly overcome the consequences of the disaster, Cao Bang province proposed that the Government and relevant ministries and sectors consider supporting the province in repairing and rebuilding houses and infrastructure, including transport, education, and health facilities. They also requested assistance in restoring agricultural production and supporting affected crops and livestock breeding.

Minister Le Minh Hoan presents gifts to households affected by natural disasters in Cao Bang province.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan highly appreciated the province’s proactive direction in disaster prevention and control, effectively mobilizing the entire political system and the people. These efforts have significantly contributed to minimizing losses of life and property caused by storms and floods.

Emphasizing the importance of post-storm response, the Minister requested Cao Bang province to continue closely monitoring the rain and flood situation to proactively respond and avoid unfortunate incidents. At the same time, the province should promptly overcome the consequences of the disaster and help people stabilize their lives.

Regarding the proposals of the province, the working group will synthesize and report to the competent authorities for consideration and resolution. For proposals related to agriculture, farmers, and rural areas, the Ministry will deploy solutions to support the province in restoring livelihoods and stabilizing production for the people in the affected areas.

The Minister presented two gifts, each worth 200 million VND, to Yen Lac and Ca Thanh communes to support the localities in overcoming the consequences of floods. He also presented 12 gifts, each worth 5 million VND, to 12 households in the two communes that lost their loved ones and houses in the landslide.

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