Tropical Storm Koguma made landfall in Thai Binh Province in northern Vietnam early on 13 June 2021. According to disaster authorities in Vietnam, the storm weakened into a tropical depression as it move inland, dumping as much as 30cm of rain and flooding wide areas of farmland.
Severe flooding was also reported in several provinces of neighbouring Laos from 13 June, 2021.
Vietnam
Two fishermen were reported missing at sea off the coast of Thai Binh Province. Two ships from the Border Guard are assisting in the search and rescue.
Vietnam Disaster Management Authority (VDMA) reported over 130 homes damaged, mostly as a result of strong winds, including 21 houses in Ha Nam province and 104 in Nam Dinh province.
The storm also brought some heavy rain. In a 24 hour period to 13 June 2021, 321 mm of rain fell in Dau Lieu in Ha Tinh Province, and 240 mm in Vinh, Nghe An Province.
As of 13 June, damage from flooding was mostly limited to farmland and crops. VDMA said a total of 19,733 hectares of farmland was flooded, including 15,400 hectares in Ha Tinh Province and 3,463 hectares in Nghe An Province.
Vietnam’s National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) warned of possible further flooding in northern provinces, in particular in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An Provinces, and also in Ha Tinh province along the La River.
Laos
Heavy rain brought by Tropical Storm Koguma has caused landslides and flooding in Vientiane, Xayaboury, Xieng Khouang and Bokeo Provinces in Laos, as of 14 June 2021.
Videos shared on Social Media showed massive flooding seeping away homes in villages of Pha Oudom District in Bokeo Province.
Elsewhere other rivers have broken their banks, including the Nam Houng in Xayaboury province and the Nam Song in Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province. Landslides and flooding were reported in Khoun District of Xieng Khouang Province, where roads have been cut.
Official damage assessments are yet to be completed.
