Flood in Vietnam: Flash Flood Wipes Out Rural Dwellings in North, Three Killed, Villages Isolated

Hanoi, Vietnam— A flash flood destroyed rural dwellings in northern Vietnam on October 20, killing three people and leaving dozens of families displaced after heavy rains swelled rivers overnight.

The flood hit Yen Bai and Lao Cai provinces, in the mountainous north. Rain started late Sunday and intensified after midnight. By dawn, small streams had become torrents. At around 5 a.m., water burst into villages along the Thia River. Houses built of wood and corrugated iron were swept away. Fields of rice ready for harvest were submerged.

Three bodies have been recovered, including two women and a child. Local officials said they were trapped inside their homes when water rose too fast to escape. Several houses were completely destroyed. More than 40 others were damaged. Roads connecting hamlets to the main highway are blocked by mud and fallen trees. Power is out in three communes.

Rescue teams from the provincial military command are using boats and excavators to reach cut-off areas. Progress is slow. A local official in Van Yen district said, "The water is still high. We cannot get heavy machines in. People are waiting on rooftops." The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned of continued heavy rain in the next 24 hours.

Northern Vietnam is prone to flash floods. Steep terrain, deforestation, and houses built close to rivers make villages vulnerable. This year, the rainy season has been heavier than usual. Climate experts said rising temperatures are increasing the intensity of short, heavy downpours. A 2025 report found that more than 70 percent of rural homes in the northern midlands lack flood-resistant foundations.

The government has ordered emergency relief. Rice, noodles, and drinking water are being sent to affected communes. The Vietnam Red Cross said it is preparing temporary shelters. Schools in Yen Bai have been closed. Farmers said they lost livestock and seed stocks. One farmer said his two buffaloes drowned. "That was my savings," he said.

The three dead were from the same commune, all from farming families. Their funerals are expected tonight. Local authorities said they will provide compensation and help rebuild houses on higher ground. No estimate has been given for damage.

Water levels are beginning to fall in some areas. But new landslides are reported along Highway 70. Officials said the risk remains high.