The National Centre for Hydro–Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) announced on September 11 that heavy rainfall would affect the northern region, including Hanoi, starting on September 11 night. Average rainfall will range between 70 to 150mm, and reach up to 200mm in some areas.
The water level of the northern Thao River has been rising significantly and in the next 24 hours the amount is forecast to increase to 30.95 metres. Landslides, gusts of wind, and flash floods are likely in Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, and Thai Nguyen provinces.
Torrential rains in the past three days have caused chaos for residents of Ha Giang province. In Dong Van district’s Pho Cao commune, rains submerged houses in Sang Pa, Suoi Thau, Ta To and Kho Chu communes.
Ta Tan Hoang, deputy head of the border force of Pho Bang district, said that at least ten households were inundated, forcing soldiers to evacuate residents to safety at midnight.
In Bac Kan province, rainfall swept away crops in Cho Don district. Luong Bang, Nghia Ta, and Nam Cuong communes were among the most affected with the loss of billions of Vietnamese dong.
Ha Kim Oanh, deputy director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that many parts of roads from Bac Kan city to Cho Don district have been severely eroded.
Parts of National Highway 3B were eroded on September 10, blocking traffic for hours until excavators managed to clear the road.
On September 10, the Irrigation Administration asked the departments of agriculture and rural development in the northern region to be on duty around the clock at reservoirs in order to monitor water levels and assess the safety of local residents, who would be informed if any decision were made to discharge water.
