Hanoi, Vietnam – Hours of torrential rain caused widespread flooding in several areas of Nghe An province in central Vietnam. The flash floods inundated main roads and large residential areas, bringing traffic to a standstill. Daily life for local residents was also severely disrupted, amid government warnings about the continued risk of severe weather.
Traffic paralysis and flooding of main roads
The heavy rainfall began in the early morning and continued into the afternoon, overwhelming the drainage systems in many cities and neighborhoods. Several main roads and low-lying areas were flooded, with water levels ranging from 20 to 60 centimeters. In some critical areas, the water level reached nearly 70 centimeters, overflowing sidewalks and entering residents’ homes.
The floods directly affected vital sections of the Vinh-Cua Lo road, as well as other major thoroughfares such as Nguyen Van Cau, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Van Bui Chau, and Le Thong Ket. These conditions forced motorists to reduce their speed to a minimum. Motorists were also compelled to seek alternative routes. Traffic congestion was severe on these roads. Furthermore, a number of vehicles stalled due to the high water levels in their engines.
Livelihoods and emergency efforts were affected.
Daily life for residents and business owners was severely disrupted; families were forced to move furniture to protect it from damage and erect barriers in front of entrances. They also manually cleared drains to prevent water from flooding homes. In the mountainous areas bordering the province, the heavy rains caused flash floods, severely damaging several roads, bridges, and vital crossings.
Regarding the human toll, a man of approximately 45 years old died after being swept away by a raging river while fishing in the morning. Despite a passerby’s attempt to rescue him, the strong current prevented any intervention. Local authorities mobilized police and military forces. Around 100 people participated in an extensive search operation, which led to the recovery of the victim’s body around 1:00 PM.
