Heavy and persistent downpours since 31st October have caused flooding in northern and central Vietnam. The official death toll rose to 83 people on Tuesday 4th November after more rain lashed the flood-hit capital Hanoi and surrounding countryside. Over 400mm of rainfall have been recorded in areas of Hanoi, and many streets are submerged with up to one metre of water. It is the heaviest flooding Hanoi has experienced in 35 years.
Over 100,000 homes have been damaged, with some completely submerged by water or washed away. Roads and other infrastructure have been destroyed by landslides, and more than 240,000 hectares of rice and vegetable fields have been flooded. Early estimates indicate that 600,000 people are badly affected as a result.
Some of the affected areas have lost their electricity supply and are suffering shortages of drinking water, while food and petrol prices have multiplied in local markets. With further rain expected, health authorities are warning that possible outbreaks of waterborne diseases are a serious concern. People are being urged to purify their water to prevent diarrhea, cholera and dengue fever.
CARE is currently working with the Vietnamese Government and other humanitarian agencies to assess the immediate needs of survivors and organise a co-ordinated response to the emergency.
CARE is operational in three of the affected provinces, namely Than Hoa, Thai Nguyen and Hoa Binh, with CARE's Emergency Response Team in constant communication with staff in the field.
It is expected that CARE will focus our emergency response to the Thach Thanh district, the worst affected district in Than Hoa province, with medical supplies, water purification tablets, vegetable seeds and support in the rehabilitation of dams, dykes and roads.