Vietnamese province hit by 500 mm of rain as floods threaten historic records

Authorities warn the Cau River could surpass its historic flood peak by half a meter, as 93 communes and wards brace for flash floods and landslides.

The torrential rains, triggered by Typhoon Matmo's circulation and strong high-altitude wind convergence, have pummeled the northern province since Monday night. Between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., meteorological stations recorded staggering rainfall totals: 526 mm in Hoa Thuong, 446 mm in Dong Quang, 459 mm in Nam Hoa, 389 mm in Khanh Hoa coal mine and 327 mm in Tan Long.

By Tuesday morning, water on major streets in Phan Dinh Phung Ward rose 0.5–0.8 meters, with some sections over one meter deep. Key roads such as Luong Ngoc Quyen, Minh Cau, Hoang Van Thu, Hung Vuong, Nha Trang and Ben Tuong were submerged. Flooding also spread to neighborhoods in Tich Luong, Quyet Thang, Linh Son, Quan Trieu, An Khanh, Dai Tu, Quan Chu, Dai Phuc, La Bang, Phu Xuyen, Diem Thuy and Song Cong.

The floods forced schools across multiple districts to suspend in-person learning, shifting classes online or closing entirely to keep students safe.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, northern Vietnam and Thanh Hoa could see an additional 40–70 mm of rain on Tuesday, with localized totals above 150 mm. Hanoi, Thai Nguyen and Bac Ninh may be hit hardest, with rainfall exceeding 200 mm in some areas.

Thai Nguyen's meteorological station has issued an urgent warning of historic flooding on the Cau River. The flood peak is projected to reach 2–3 meters above alarm level 3, the highest. At Gia Bay station, water levels could climb 0.5 meters higher than the historic peak set during Typhoon Yagi in September 2024.

With the ground already saturated, authorities warn that landslides are highly likely in 93 communes and wards across the province.

The Thai Nguyen People's Committee issued an emergency directive on Tuesday morning ordering local officials to deploy patrols in flooded areas, monitor landslide-prone zones, and evacuate residents if necessary. Officials have also been tasked with delivering food and essential supplies to isolated communities.