VNExpress-Oct 8
Vietnam’s military has mobilized over 30,000 troops, helicopters and rescue boats to rush aid as floodwaters surge across northern provinces in the wake of Typhoon Matmo. Major General Pham Van Ty, deputy chief of the army’s rescue department, said four rescue operations have been launched in Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son and Cao Bang, areas hardest hit by the widespread flooding. In Bac Ninh, Ty personally directed efforts after a 10–15 meter section of the Den Kenh dyke collapsed at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 8, sending river water rushing into five villages and isolating nearly 600 households. Soldiers, police and militia evacuated hundreds of residents. In Lang Son, where more than 3,000 families are cut off, Regiment 916 helicopters took off from Hanoi carrying nine tons of food relief, including instant noodles and dry rations, to four communes. Flood levels across northern rivers have climbed past historic marks. The Cau River in Thai Nguyen rose to almost 30 meters, more than a meter higher than September 2024’s peak. The Bang River in Cao Bang surpassed its all-time record by 0.58 meters to reach 185.42 meters, while the Thuong River in Bac Ninh threatens to break the 1986 high of 7.52 meters. Officials say floodwaters are straining northern Vietnam’s dyke system. Although rainfall has begun to ease, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned that widespread flooding will likely persist for 3–4 more days, with risks of flash floods, riverbank erosion and landslides in low-lying and mountainous areas. Read more at:
