On the evening of July 16, speaking to Dantri, a leader of the Minh Luong Commune Party Committee in Lao Cai Province said landslides struck Minh Thuong and Minh Ha 1 villages in the commune at about 4.30 am the same day, sending rocks and soil onto the old National Highway 279 and into residents' homes.
Soil and rocks spill onto a road in Minh Luong Commune (Photo: Vang To).
The official said the landslides occurred twice in one day, first at 4.30 am and again at about 11 am. Four households had soil and rocks wash into their homes, while debris and floodwater on the old National Highway 279 caused localised traffic congestion.
"Fortunately, no one was killed or injured, and damage to property is still being assessed. After receiving the information, the authorities sent forces to the scene to help residents clear their homes and roads. By the afternoon, the rain had stopped and vehicles were able to pass through the area again," the Minh Luong Commune Party Committee leader said.
Authorities and residents clear mud and debris (Photo: Vang To).
Local authorities said persistent rain throughout July 15 caused soil and rocks to slide from hillsides onto local roads and homes, damaging property and crops.
The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said that from late July 16 to July 18, mountainous and midland areas in northern Vietnam, including Dien Bien, Son La, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen and Quang Ninh, would see moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, with rainfall of 80-150mm and more than 300mm in some places.
Several road sections were cut off when the incident occurred (Photo: Vang To).
Forecasters said that on the evening and night of July 16, other parts of northern Vietnam, the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam would experience scattered showers and thunderstorms, with rainfall of 10-30mm and more than 80mm in some places.
According to the meteorological agency, from the night of July 18 to July 19, mountainous and midland areas in northern Vietnam would continue to see moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, with rainfall of 40-70mm and more than 150mm in some places. Rain in northern Vietnam is expected to ease gradually from July 24.
