Urgent response and immediate relief to severe floods in central Vietnam

THE HANOI TIMES — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 29 requested emergency relief efforts for affected communities following severe floods and landslides in Vietnam's central region, including the major cities of Hue and Danang and the central provinces of Quang Tri and Quang Ngai. 

He said the region is experiencing an exceptionally large-scale flood, with many areas recording unprecedented rainfall, calling on swift visit and assistance to affected residents, especially families of the deceased and missing. 

Local authorities must keep evacuation operations for people in high-risk zones, including areas prone to landslides and flash floods. “By any means necessary, supplies must be delivered,” Chinh emphasized.

The government has delivered initial emergency provision to Hue city. 

The Ministry of Finance is tasked with allocating emergency funds, including US$ 6 million to Hue city, and $4 million each to provinces of Quang Ngai and Quang Tri. Additional resources from the national reserve will also be mobilized.

Military forces are asked to maintain high alert, monitor flood evolution and swiftly deploy resources to ensure the safety of military bases and residential areas.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), prolonged heavy rainfall has caused water levels on the Huong and Bo Rivers in Hue city, Vu Gia-Thu Bon Rivers in Danang to rise sharply, leading to widespread inundation across the two cities, with many areas submerged 1m-2m deep.

Between October 29 and 30, torrential rain is expected in Danang, Quang Tri and Quang Ngai, with rainfall totaling 200m-400mm and localized areas exceeding 600mm. 

Hue and Danang cities are facing rising water levels as the Huong and Vu Gia-Thu Bon rivers swell from upstream discharges. 

Floodwaters along the Vu Gia-Thu Bon river system in the central city of Danang surpassed the highest flood warning level (Level 3) on the morning of October 29.

Some areas may experience flooding levels exceeding the historic 2007 flood, the NCHMF reported, adding that the risk of flood-related natural disasters has been raised to Level 3.

As of October 29 noon, Hue city has evacuated over 35,000 households and more than 75,000 households in Danang city been relocated from areas at high risk of flash floods, rising river levels and landslides.

Colonel Nguyen Van Hoa, Deputy Chief of Staff of Military Region 5, said that to assist with flood recovery, particularly addressing severe landslides along transport routes, the unit has deployed 6,293 personnel and local militia, along with over 300 vehicles to support locals.

Chairpersons of the People’s Committees of Quang Tri, Hue, Danang and Quang Ngai are tasked with close monitoring and updating on rainfall and flood forecasts, enabling residents to respond proactively to evolving risks.

Flood response efforts

As of 2:00 PM on October 29, floods in the central region had submerged or damaged 705 hectares of rice and crops, flooded some 100,900 houses and ruined nearly 70 others.

Infrastructure damage has been extensive. Arteries including the Ho Chi Minh Road and National Highways 40B, 14E, 14H, 24C, and 1A have suffered multiple landslide and flooding points, cutting off traffic and isolating several residential areas.

Preliminary statistics show that floods have left nine dead, five missing, eight injured, while over 201,000 households have lost power. Heavy rains have resulted 38 landslide sites, including several dangerous spots along national and provincial highways and in mountainous areas.

Nearly 3,000 soldiers and 2,000 police officers, along with thousands of local militia members and youth volunteers, have been mobilized for evacuation, rescue operations and traffic control.