Heavy rainfall from the afternoon of July 27 to July 30 affected 20 communes and wards across Lao Cai Province, causing estimated losses of more than VND 8 billion (USD 305,000), according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment.
A report released on July 30 said the flooding forced 35 households, comprising at least 126 people, to evacuate to safer locations.
Preliminary assessments by local authorities showed that landslides displaced more than 40,000 cubic metres of soil and rock, damaging roads, irrigation systems, water supply facilities and schools.
Roads in Coc San Commune, Bao Ha Commune, Muong Khuong Commune, Quy Mong Commune, Trinh Tuong Commune, Xuan Hoa Commune, Muong Lai Commune, Tan Hop Commune and Mo Vang Commune were hit by landslides, flooding or isolation, disrupting travel for residents.
The floods also caused the collapse of 1,933 cubic metres of uphill embankments and damaged 22 metres of downhill embankments, with estimated losses exceeding VND 3 billion (USD 114,500).
According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the Northwest region was expected to remain cloudy on July 30, with scattered showers and thunderstorms, including isolated heavy rain.
The agency warned that thunderstorms could bring whirlwinds, lightning, hail and strong gusts of wind. Forecast temperatures were expected to range from 23 to 26 degrees Celsius, falling to 22 to 24 degrees Celsius in parts of the northwest, with daytime highs of 29 to 32 degrees Celsius.
