Lai Chau Province has formally requested that the prime minister approve VND 500 billion (USD 19.10 million) in financial assistance to help recover from the severe damage caused by recent flash floods and torrential rain, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
In an urgent submission dated July 20, the provincial People's Committee proposed that VND 300 billion (USD 11.46 million) be released immediately from the central government's 2026 budget contingency fund.
The funding would be used to support families whose homes were damaged, develop new resettlement areas, restore livelihoods, and carry out emergency repairs to transport networks, irrigation systems, clean water supplies, schools, healthcare facilities and other critical infrastructure.
The assistance would also help restore agricultural production, stabilise areas vulnerable to landslides and flash floods, and safeguard residents' lives and property.
"The Lai Chau Province People's Committee has proactively used local budget reserves and mobilised other lawful funding sources for search and rescue operations and initial recovery efforts. However, the scale of the damage has exceeded the province's financial capacity," the document, signed by vice chairman Nguyen Sy Canh, said.
Lai Chau Province estimates disaster losses in Muong Than Commune at more than VND 250 billion (USD 9.55 million) (Photo: Nguyen Hai).
Natural disasters have struck Lai Chau repeatedly since the beginning of the year. Prolonged periods of intense rainfall have triggered flash floods along rivers and streams, while landslides have occurred on steep slopes and in geologically unstable areas.
Between July 15 and July 18, exceptionally heavy rainfall battered the province, causing widespread flash floods and landslides that resulted in significant loss of life and extensive property damage.
In Muong Than Commune, a flash flood and landslide on the morning of July 17 directly affected 899 households, or 4,263 residents.
By the afternoon of July 20, moderate to heavy rainfall, with isolated areas experiencing extremely heavy downpours, continued across the province. Mountainous areas remain at high risk of further flash floods and landslides, threatening transport links, agricultural production and local communities.
Provincial authorities estimate that natural disasters have caused losses exceeding VND 550 billion (USD 21.01 million) since the start of the year. Muong Than Commune alone has suffered damage estimated at more than VND 250 billion (USD 9.55 million).
Authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and are preparing plans to relocate around 200 households to newly developed resettlement sites designed to provide safe and permanent housing.