Heavy rain brought by the passing of Tropical Storm Mulan has caused flooding and landslides in areas of Vietnam, northern Thailand and bordering areas of Myanmar, and northern Laos.
Tropical Storm Mulan made landfall in coastal areas of Xuwen County in Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China on 10 August 2022. Some flights and shipping were disrupted. Storm Mulan then weakened into a tropical depression as it moved towards northeast Vietnam.
Vietnam
According to the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority (VDMA), Storm Mulan brought heavy rain from around 09 August. In a 3 day period to late 12 August, Muong Khen in Hoa Binh recorded 328 mm of rain.
VDMA reported some flooding and landslides in Lai Chau and Son La Provinces as of 11 August, and Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang and Phu Tho provinces the following day. Three fatalities were reported in Hoa Binh and one in Phu Tho, while 4 people were reported missing (2 in Hoa Binh, 1 in Tuyen Quang and 1 in Lao Cai). Around 130 houses were damaged, mostly in Hoa Binh Province. VDMA added that 1,233 hectares of rice and crops were also damaged.
Thailand and Myanmar
According to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) in Thailand, Tropical Storm Mulan affected 11 provinces (Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Nan, Lampang, Phrae, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Phanom, Loei, and Prachinburi) from around 11 August 2022. DDPM said 5,965 households were affected in total.
Some of the worst of the flooding occurred in Mae Sai township in the northern Chiang Rai province where an earthen dam was breached on 12 August, causing waters of the Sai river to rise rapidly and flood border areas between Thailand and Myanmar, in particular Tachileik in the Shan State of eastern Myanmar. One fatality was reported in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Laos
Thousands of people in Laos are suffering after rivers flooded following several days of heavy rain in northern areas. Affected provinces include areas of Huaphanh, Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Xayaboury.
According to the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, roads have become impassable, water and electricity supplies have been cut and many residents evacuated. Houses along the overflowing Houng River in Xayaboury were submerged. Many people are now in need of shelter, food and drinking water and some need boats to move around. Around 600 military personnel have been called in to assist with relief efforts.
