What Happened in Vietnam: Eight Dead and Three Missing After Devastating Flash Floods?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Eight fatalities reported due to flash floods.
- Three individuals still missing.
- Over 60 homes affected by rising waters.
- Rescue efforts involve nearly 700 personnel.
- Typhoon Wipha contributed to the severity of the situation.
Hanoi, Aug 2 (NationPress) — In a tragic turn of events, eight individuals have lost their lives and three others are still unaccounted for due to recent flash floods and landslides in Vietnam's northern province of Dien Bien, as reported by local media on Saturday.
As of 6 a.m. on Saturday, about 60 residences were either swept away or severely damaged by rising floodwaters, according to the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority.
Currently, around thirty villages remain cut off due to obstructed transportation routes.
Nearly 700 personnel, including police, military units, local militias, and various community organizations, have been mobilized to assist in the search for the missing, as reported by Xinhua, citing the Vietnam News Agency.
During a visit to Xa Dung commune on Saturday morning, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha urged local officials to take immediate action to ensure that no resident goes hungry, is isolated for extended periods, or lacks access to critical information.
He stressed that the safety of both rescuers and affected residents must be prioritized at all times.
These flash floods follow closely on the heels of Typhoon Wipha, which recently impacted coastal regions between Hung Yen and Ninh Binh provinces, producing maximum winds of 88 km/h, classified as level 8-9 on the Beaufort scale, with gusts reaching level 11, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
A suspension bridge in Dien Bien province partially collapsed due to the intense rainfall, resulting in injuries to four individuals, as per local news reports.
Power outages have also been noted in parts of Tien Hai commune in Hung Yen province.
Meanwhile, central provinces such as Thanh Hoa and Nghe An have recorded rainfall amounts between 150 to 200 mm.
The aftermath of Typhoon Wipha, which is the third tropical storm to hit Vietnam this year, has resulted in damage to 357 houses and has flooded over 400 hectares of rice fields and other crops across the province, according to reports.