Typhoon Matmo causes historic widespread flooding in northern Vietnam

THE HANOI TIMES — The circulation of Typhoon Matmo has unleashed catastrophic flooding across four northern provinces of Vietnam, submerging many parts of Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son and Bac Ninh as of the evening of October 9.

Than Van Kien, a shopkeeper in Tien Luc Commune in the northern province of Bac Ninh, told Vietnam News Agency that he has been experiencing its worst flood in years. "The water is still rising and we have to run away from the flood because water from the upper rivers has been pouring in," he said.

Kien recalled that heavy rains on October 7 caused floodwaters to rise rapidly, submerging offices and kindergartens by over a meter.

Many residents were stranded as roads became impassable, and Kien’s shop on a slope saw water almost reaching the stairs. Relief teams continue to reach flood-isolated communities. “The elders remember the historic 1971 flood, but they say this one is worse,” he noted.

At 5 AM on October 9, the Thuong River’s water level reached 18.37 meters, which is 0.76 meters above the previous record, and might peak later in the evening before receding slowly.

In addition to Bac Ninh, where floodwaters have exceeded the historic levels of 1971 and 1986, three other northern provinces namely Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang and Lang Son remain submerged by up to three meters. Flooding in Thai Nguyen is expected to persist for the next three days.

On the morning of October 9, the Cau River in Thai Nguyen peaked at 29.9 meters, 1.09 meters above the record set in 2024. Heavy rains have inundated 33 of the province’s 92 communes, with water levels reaching one to two meters.

Northern mountainous provinces, including Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen and Cao Bang remain at high risk of landslides due to saturated soil and rising river levels. Landslides have threatened communities, blocked roads and damaged homes and infrastructure.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, flooding has left eight dead, five missing and seven injured. Local authorities are continuing to verify and update damage assessments.

About 17,000 homes have been flooded, including 5,100 in Thai Nguyen, 7,300 in Cao Bang and 3,000 in Lang Son, with 402 houses damaged. Flooding persists in 33 communes, isolating around 1,600 homes, mainly in Lang Son and Thai Nguyen.

Typhoon Matmo also inundated nearly 22,600 hectares of rice and crops, while 1,038 cattle and over 217,000 poultry were reported dead or swept away.

Local authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to stay alert and mobilized emergency measures to protect lives, property and crops.

The National Civil Defense Steering Committee requested provincial and municipal People’s Committees to regularly inspect key and weak dyke sections, unresolved incidents and ongoing construction sites, particularly low dykes near rivers prone to seepage, erosion or subsidence during floods.

Authorities must strengthen patrols and surveillance during the flood season to promptly detect and handle any incidents, ensuring safety when floodwaters continue to rise.

Government supports flood-hit provinces

Four working delegations led Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Ministers on October 8 inspected disaster response efforts in the provinces of Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh, Cao Bang and Lang Son.

PM Pham Minh Chinh has decided to provide urgent aid worth VND140 billion (US$5.6 million) from the 2025 central budget contingency fund to help four hit provinces recover from the floods with emergency relief and initial post-disaster recovery efforts.

Vietnam’s organizations launch emergency relief for disaster-affected communities

The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VNRC) on October 9 launched the first phase of emergency relief to assist residents in the northern provinces, which suffered severe damage from Typhoon Matmo. 

The VNRC has launched a flood relief campaign through its H2025 account at Vietcombank and will send a delegation to affected areas to deliver aid and assess further needs in addition to billions of Vietnam dong for family kits and essential supplies.

As of 5 PM on October 8, the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Relief Committee received nearly VND799 billion ($30.3 million) in donations from individuals, organizations and enterprises to support Typhoon Matmo victims.

VFF President Do Van Chien said the funds will be distributed according to local damage levels to help residents repair homes and restore livelihoods.

"Lists of aid recipients will be publicly posted", said Chien.