Viet Nam: Floods and Landslides - Sep 2020

Tropical Cyclone NOUL made landfall in Viet Nam over the coastal area between Dong Ha and Hue cities (Thua Thien Hue Province) on 18 September, as a tropical storm. According to media, as of 18 September, more than 500,000 people are being evacuated in the central provinces of Vietnam. (ECHO, 18 Sep 2020)

TC Noul caused some damage to the Central provinces of Vietnam. 4 provinces (Quang Tri, Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam) have evacuated around 16,391 household or about 54,215 people. Houses were severely affected and the agriculture sector will likely be further suffer due to heavy rain following the storm. There were 6 fatalities and 112 injured, the storm caused severe damage to infrastructure. Due to continued heavy rain, the government warned people of flash floods in these provinces. (ECHO, 21 Sep 2020)

On 18-21 September, several landslides triggered by flash floods occurred in the mountainous districts of Quang Nam Province (central Vietnam). Damage was reported to houses, at least 10 schools, several main roads and bridges, leaving many communities isolated. The power infrastructure and water network were damaged as well, affecting many families living in the area. Over the next 24 hours, rain and thunderstorms are expected of Quang Nam Province. (ECHO, 25 Sep 2020)

Since 26 September, heavy rain has been affecting northern Vietnam (particularly the Provinces of Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Ha Giang and Yen Bai) causing floods, triggering landslides and leading to casualties and damage. According to media reports, two people died following a landslide in Ha Hoa District (Phu Tho Province), seven people were injured and three bridges damaged across the same Province. A total of 73 houses have been affected by heavy rain in the Provinces of Phu Tho and Lao Cai. (ECHO, 29 Sep 2020)

Torrential rains have triggered floods and landslides in central Viet Nam. Many areas of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang have been submerged and cut off. Local authorities had to evacuate 3,250 households (10,994 residents) to out of dangerous areas, according to the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control. At least 37 communes have been submerged due to torrential rains and floods in the central region. The Disaster Management Authority (DMA) of Vietnam reported that at least 8 people have died or are missing after days of heavy rainfall in central parts of the country. (ECHO, 9 Oct 2020)

As of 12 October, media report at least 17 fatalities, 13 people missing, around 31,000 displaced people, and more than 33,000 damaged houses across the central provinces of Da Nang, Ha Tinh, Quang Bình, Quang Nam, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue. Rescue teams are accessing the isolated areas by boats to supply instant noodle to people and evacuate children and elderly. So far, 15,392 households/45,835 people have been evacuated to safe places. (ECHO, 12 Oct 2020)

According to the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority (VDMA), several provinces in central Vietnam reported severe flooding and landslides, which left at least 28 people dead, 12 people missing, and forced over 45,800 people to evacuate their homes. About 131,000 houses have been flooded and more than 380 homes have been completed destroyed. The VDMA and provincial authorities have deployed rescue teams and are evacuating vulnerable people. (OCHA, 14 Oct 2020)

As of 17 October, floods, landslides, storms, and winds in Central Region affected an estimated 682,000 people, 136,000 houses, 10.400 hectares of rice, crops, and aquatic produce, 362 educational institutions, 14.7 km of roads, and the loss of 332,000 livestock (cattle and poultry). There are at least 56 deaths and 12 people missing. (ECHO, 17 Oct 2020)

On 18 October, a landslide occurred in Quang Tri Province (central Vietnam), killing at least 20 people and 27 others are missing. About 147 houses and more than 70 schools have been damaged or destroyed. At least 12,000 residents have been displaced and nearly 45,000 households remain affected in Quang Tri. Almost 1,000 people and 150 vehicles have been deployed to continue with search and rescue operations. (ECHO, 19 Oct 2020)

According to Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority (VNDMA), as of 21 October, the floods, landslides, storms, and winds in Central Viet Nam affected an estimated 801,000 people, 160,000 houses, 112,800 hectares of land damaged or destroyed, 42 commune health stations (Quang Tri: 32; Quang Ngai: 5; Quang Nam: 4; and one regional clinic), 362 educational institutions, 14.7 km of roads, and the loss of 462,000 livestock (cattle and poultry). About 26.3 km of coastal landslide was also reported. Casualties were also reported (111 dead and 22 missing). (AHA Centre, 21 Oct 2020)

On 25 October, Tropical Cyclone SAUDEL made landfall over central Quang Bình Province (central Vietnam) as a tropical depression bringing heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge. 700 families were evacuated in Quang Binh Province. (ECHO, 26 Oct 2020)

Typhoon MOLAVE is forecast to make landfall over southern Quang Ngai Province (central Vietnam) on 27 October, close to Tropical Storms SAUDEL and LINFA's trajectories and authorities are evacuating up to 1,300,000 people. (ECHO, 27 Oct 2020)

Typhoon MOLAVE made landfall in the morning of 28 October as Category 1. The Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority (VNDMA) reports 374,600 people evacuated, and forecasts 150-400 mm rainfall between 28-29 October in Hue-Phu Yen and North Central Highlands, 500-700 mm between 28-31 October in South Nghe Anh and Ha Thin, and 200-400mm in Quang Binh and Quang Tri. The army has mobilized troops and vehicles for search and rescue missions. From 6 October, the Central region of Viet Nam has experienced prolonged, heavy rains, storm surge and strong winds that have caused severe flooding and landslides as a as a result of a combination of numerous weather systems. VNDMA has recorded 174 dead and missing as of 28 October. An estimated 7.7 million people live in the affected areas. As many as 1.5 million people have been directly affected. Of these, an estimated 177,000 people were already considered vulnerable (poor or near-poor) and should be prioritized for urgent humanitarian assistance. (UNCT Viet Nam, 28 Oct 2020)

MOLAVE made landfall on the morning of 28 October between Quang Ngai and Quang Nam provinces (central Vietnam) as a typhoon before dissipating on 29 October. According to media reports, landslides triggered by heavy rain in Quang Nam Province resulted in 15 fatalities, with 40 missing. More than 374,000 people have been evacuated. Millions were left without electricity and 56,000 houses damaged. 26 fishermen are missing after the boats sank. (ECHO, 29 Oct 2020)

As of 2 November, at least 159 people have died and 71 people are still missing due to floods and landslides triggered by storms and heavy rains in central Vietnam. Typhoon Molave damaged around 92,000 houses. A total of 5,000 houses completely collapsed, while over 600 schools and hospitals were damaged. (ECHO, 2 Nov 2020)

Persistent heavy rains, widespread flooding and landslides triggered by a series of storms and typhoons since early October have left more than 270,000 houses flooded and damaged more than 37,500 houses in central Vietnam. About 57,000 people have been evacuated to temporary shelters. Some 159 people lost their lives and 71 others went missing, with millions more affected. (OCHA, 3 Nov 2020)

Typhoon GONI made landfall as a tropical depression over southern Binh Dinh Province. On 6 November, its centre was approximately 9 km to Thon Giang Nam City (Binh Dinh Province, central Vietnam) with maximum sustained wind of 56 km/h. This is the fifth tropical cyclone that hit Vietnam during the last 30 days. More than 13,000 people have been evacuated across the Provinces of Quang Ngai, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa and Binh Dinh. (ECHO, 6 Nov 2020)

Tropical Storm ETAU is moving westwards over South China Sea, and on 9 November, its center was located approximately 440 km east of Tuy Hoa (Phu Yien, central-south Vietnam), with maximum sustained wind of 65 km/h. ETAU is forecast to strengthen as it makes landfall south of Tuy Hoa in the evening of 9 November, with maximum sustained wind up to 85 km/h. On 9-12 November, heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong wind are expected for central-southern Provinces of Vietnam. (ECHO, 9 Nov 2020)

The storm ETAU weakened into a tropical depression on 10 November, after making landfall over the south central coast of Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces in Vietnam. The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control reported, that the local authorities of the south central coast planned to evacuate 103,644 households with 403,426 coastal residents and reinforce 1.8 km sea dikes. (ECHO, 10 Nov 2020)

Since early October, more than 230 people have lost their lives and over 350,000 households as well as schools and health centres have been damaged or destroyed by prolonged, widespread floods and landslides as a result of a series of tropical storms. (OCHA, 11 Nov 2020)

According to the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority, the effects of Typhoon GONI have resulted in 2 people killed, one person injured, 9,495 people evacuated, more than 500 people affected and 31 houses damaged or destroyed. (ECHO, 11 Nov 2020)

From 6 October, the Central region of Viet Nam has experienced prolonged, heavy rains, storm surge and strong winds that have caused severe flooding and landslides as a result of a combination of numerous weather systems. As of 11 November, 239 people are reported to have been killed or are missing according to VNDMA. An estimated 7.7 million people live in the flood and storm affected areas, with some 1.5 million people directly affected by the disasters. Of these, an estimated 177,000 people were already considered vulnerable (poor or near-poor) prior to the disaster and have been prioritized for urgent assistance by the humanitarian community. (UNCT Viet Nam, 15 Nov 2020)

In October and November, several Provinces of central Vietnam have been affected by landslides and flooding, caused by the activity of multiple tropical cyclones in the area. UN OCHA reports that as of 20 November, 243 people have died or are missing. At least 1.5 million people have been directly affected by the disasters, and more than 600,000 houses have been flooded, damaged or destroyed. (ECHO, 27 Nov 2020)

Widespread floods triggered by heavy rainfall, affected central and south-central Vietnam on 28 November - 1 December. According to media reports, 5 people have died (4 in Khanh Hoa and one in Lam Dong Province) and one is missing in Lam Dong Province. Floods inundated 1,100 houses in Khanh Hoa, Quang Nam and Dak Lak Provinces. 746 ha of rice were also affected and several roads suffered from the landslides and inundation. More than 5,600 people have been evacuated across the Provinces of Nha Trang, Dak Lak, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai. (ECHO, 3 Dec 2020)

The central highlands region, particularly Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Dak Nong has experienced heavy rain between 28 November and 6 December, causing floods and landslides killing nine more people and devastating farmlands. Many areas along rivers in Ninh Thuan and Khanh Hoa in the central region were submerged, and provinces have evacuated thousands of households. (UNICEF, 11 Dec 2020)

As of 17 December, 253 people have reportedly been killed or are missing, according to the Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority (VNDMA). An estimated 7.7 million people live in the affected areas, with some 1.5 million people, especially women, girls, boys, elderly and people with disabilities, in nine provinces directly affected and more than 600,000 houses have been flooded, damaged or destroyed. (UNCT Viet Nam, 4 Jan 2021)

On 22 March, severe weather including strong wind, lightning and heavy rain was reported in Lam Dong Province (Central Highlands Region, southern Vietnam), leading to casualties. According to media, one person died due to a lightning event in Da Huoai District and a tornado event injured two people and damaged at least 70 buildings, including a primary school and a place of worship in Di Linh District. Several power outages caused by thunderstorms were reported in Da Huoai. (ECHO, 23 Mar 2021)

Heavy rain has been affecting northern Vietnam (in particular Lao Cai, Ha Giang and Yen Bai Provinces) since 16 April, causing flash floods that have resulted in casualties and damage. Media report, as of 19 April, three fatalities and 36 damaged houses across Minh Luong Commune (Van Ban District, Lao Cai Province). A number of damaged houses were also reported across Ha Giang Province. (ECHO, 19 Apr 2021)