Vietnam and China – Floods and Landslides Leave 9 Dead

Flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rain have caused deaths and destruction in northern Vietnam and neighbouring parts of China. According to latest reports, at least 9 people have died over the last few days.

Vietnam

In Vietnam, the country’s Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control said that several northern provinces including Dien Bien, Son La, Hoa Binh, Son La, Thai Nguyen and Yen Bai, have all seen heavy rain, floods and landslides since 30 August, 2018.

At least 4 people have died and 3 others injured. The floods and landslides have also destroyed 179 houses and caused widespread damage to roads, bridges, embankments and farmland.

Many parts of the country are still recovering from damage caused by tropical storms Son-tinh and Bebinca.

China

Local media in China report that flooding in the southwest Yunnan Province on Sunday 02 September left at least 5 dead, 5 injured and 16 missing.

The worst hit area was Mengdong Township in Malipo County, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. Homes, power supply and communications have all been damaged. Emergency teams are carrying out search and rescue in affected areas.

Maps from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) suggest that between 100 and 250 mm of rain fell in the area on 02 September, 2018.

Rainfall in China to 02 September 2018. Image: China Meteorological Administration (CMA)

Featured image: file photo – Vietnam flooding. Photo credit: Evangelos Petratos EU/ECHO

Flood Summary

Last updated: September 4, 2018
Event
South West China and Northern Vietnam, August to September 2018
Date
August 30, 2018
Type
Flash flood, Landslide
Cause
Extreme rainfall
On 02 September, Vietnam's Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control said that torrential rains persisting from around 30 August led to serious floods and landslides and have affected the northern mountainous provinces of Sơn La, Lào Cai, Cao Bằng, Yên Bái and Lai Châu and the central provinces of Thanh Hóa and Nghệ An.

Locations

A - Hoa Binh (Vietnam)
B - Son La (Vietnam)
C - Thai Nguyen (Vietnam)
D - Yen Bai (Vietnam)
E - Malipo County (China)
F - Lào Cai (Vietnam)
G - Cao Bằng (Vietnam)
H - Lai Châu (Vietnam)
I - Thanh Hóa
J - Nghệ An

Magnitude

Rainfall level
250 mm in 24 hours
Mengdong Township in Malipo County, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, China - September 1 to September 2, 2018
Figure estimated figure from map by China Meteorological Administration
Rainfall level
155 mm in 24 hours
Dien Bien, Dien Bien, Vietnam - August 30 to August 31, 2018
Vietnam figures from Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control
Rainfall level
122 mm in 24 hours
Sapa, Lao Cai, Vietnam - August 30 to August 31, 2018
Rainfall level
125 mm in 24 hours
Bac Quang, Ha Giang, Vietnam - August 31 to September 1, 2018
Rainfall level
149 mm in 24 hours
Muong Te, Lai Chau, Vietnam - September 1 to September 2, 2018
Rainfall level
146 mm in 24 hours
Co To, Quang Ninh - September 1 to September 2, 2018

Damages

Fatalities
5 people
Mengdong Township in Malipo County, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, China - September 1 to September 3, 2018
Fatalities
19 people
Vietnam - August 30 to September 3, 2018
Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control figures: one death in each of the provinces of Sơn La, Yên Bái, Lạng Sơn and Hòa Bình, two in Lai Châu and nine in Thanh Hóa.
Buildings destroyed
364 buildings
Vietnam - August 30 to September 3, 2018
Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control figures