GLIDE FF-2008-000173-VNM
This bulletin is being issued for information only, and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The International Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation at present. The Viet Nam Red Cross society will, however, accept direct assistance to provide support to the affected population.
The Situation
In the early hours of 25 September, heavy rains triggered by tropical cyclone Hagupit caused flash floods and landslides in six provinces in northern Viet Nam, namely Lang Son, Son La, Bac Giang, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh, and Vinh Phuc. According to current available information collated from local Viet Nam Red Cross Society chapters and the government, the floods left a total of 32 dead, five missing and 36 injured. Furthermore, 897 houses have collapsed and another 8,326 houses have been damaged or swept away by the floods. In addition, some 19,823 hectares of rice, including those to be harvested, and vegetables are inundated.
A large amount of damage occurred in the mentioned provinces due to flash floods on the night of 25 September, which lasted for two days (26 and 27 September). The floods left people little time to evacuate and submerged the provincial town and several communes.
In Quang Ninh province, flash floods occurred in six districts and several communes were isolated. Information is very limited due to inaccessibility to the affected areas and damage to infrastructures. According to the provincial Red Cross chapter, although the flood waters have receded in most of the areas, some communities in at least two districts, Ba Che and Tien Yen, remain inaccessible. To date, reports indicate four people have died as a result of the floods, five injured and about 350 houses have been destroyed. In addition, approximately 650 hectares of aqua production was lost and 800 hectares of paddy fields were inundated.
As of 28 September, flood levels receded to a metre within 24 hours, enabling some communities to be accessible by small boats only. According to local authorities, some roads could be accessible after 28 September which would allow relief to be easily reachable to the affected people, and electricity has been returned to some districts as well. However, in Luc Ngan district, a number of noodle factories and its production tools have been destroyed by flood.
In Bac Giang province, flash floods have claimed the lives of nine people, while another eight people from five out of ten districts were reported to be injured. The local Viet Nam Red Cross chapter estimated that up to 500,000 people were affected as 12,771 hectares of rice and vegetables fields were flooded and damaged. At least 51 towns and communes in low lands or along the Luc Nam River were submerged. Up until 28 September, several communes are still under water. Seven bridges were swept away by the floods while a subsequent landslide has caused damage to Highway 31, further disrupting traffic flow.
In response to the situation, the Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control (CCFSC) has requested the provincial people's committee in the affected provinces to take the lead in evacuating people living in low-lying lands as well as people living near rivers and springs. Schools in flooded areas have been closed down since 26 September and the local government has been requested to report to the central committee about the progress of the situation.
At present, updates about damages are available from three disaster-prone provinces. However, there is very little information about the needs for humanitarian assistance at the time of reporting. Information on damages is either limited or not available in provinces which are less prone to disasters.
On 26 September, the Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Centre (CHMFC) warned of more flash floods and landslides across the northern provinces as well as rising water levels at major rivers, including Thai Binh, Cau, Thuong and Luc Nam rivers as the result of the approaching typhoon Jangmi.
The affected communities are trying to clean their houses and household items in the flooded areas; farmers are also trying to fish in the flooded areas for their daily meals and salvage their crops. Public markets in high areas are opened again, with food, vegetables and household items made available.
Map: Vietnam: Flash Floods (as of 29 Sep 2008) - Situation Map