Heavy Rain Floods Vietnam As 10,000 Hectares Of Crops Are Damaged

Heavy rain has triggered widespread flooding across northern Vietnam, submerging more than 2,200 homes, isolating thousands of households and pushing several rivers above danger levels as authorities race to evacuate residents and protect farmland.

Northern and north central Vietnam have been facing heavy rain since earlier this week, with some areas recording more than 50 centimetres of rainfall. Over three days, several locations recorded cumulative rainfall above 500 mm, including parts of Thanh Hoa and Phu Tho, according to Vietnam’s disaster management authorities.

Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An have been among the worst affected areas. More than 10,000 hectares of rice and other crops have been damaged, while thousands of livestock and poultry have also been killed. Three houses have collapsed and 21 others have been damaged across several provinces, official figures showed.

The flooding has also disrupted transportation, with key roads blocked and more than 1,000 households cut off. Authorities have relocated hundreds of families from vulnerable areas. By Thursday morning, 732 households involving 2,975 people had been moved to safer locations across Hanoi, Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa.

The situation has been particularly difficult in Hanoi, where several streets were severely flooded. Rainfall between Wednesday night and Thursday morning exceeded 150 mm in parts of the capital, while some areas recorded even higher totals. Several high schools and universities closed or shifted classes online.

Floodwaters from the Bui River also threatened homes on Hanoi’s southwestern outskirts. Hundreds of soldiers were deployed to help residents move belongings and prepare for possible flooding.

Several rivers in Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa have crossed level 3 flood warning thresholds, including the Tich, Bui, Day, Hoang Long, Buoi, Yen and Len rivers. Authorities have warned of further flooding in low lying areas and along riverbanks.

The rain threat is not over. Northern areas were expected to receive another 30 to 80 mm on Thursday, with some locations potentially recording more than 130 mm. Authorities have also warned of intense rainfall, flash floods and landslides.

Meanwhile, southern Vietnam is bracing for another five days of heavy rain from September 17 to 21. Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding areas are expected to receive widespread rainfall, with some locations forecast to get more than 200 mm. Officials have warned of flooding in low lying areas and along waterways, as well as thunderstorms, strong winds and other severe weather.

Vietnam is among the world’s most climate vulnerable countries and has experienced repeated severe flooding and storms in recent years, increasing pressure on authorities to strengthen disaster preparedness.