Moderate to very heavy rain was reported across the province on August 20, causing widespread flooding of roads, farmland and residential areas.
According to the provincial Civil Defence Command, rising floodwaters washed away a temporary bridge used during construction of the Hoi Hien Bridge, cutting road access between Tu My and Mai Hoa communes.
The Kim Binh overflow bridge linking Son Kim 1 and Son Kim 2 communes was also submerged, disrupting traffic.
Roads in Bac Hong Linh Ward and Loc Ha Commune were deeply flooded, leaving several vehicles stranded.
Heavy rain also triggered landslides in Cam Trung Commune. Sections of a coastal patrol road were affected over a stretch of about 50 metres, while erosion along the right bank of the Rac River encroached more than one metre into a road over a 350-metre section.
Authorities closed the affected roads and installed warning signs.
At Ky Xuan Primary School, about 40 metres of fencing collapsed, while a 13-metre section of wall at a kindergarten site in Huong Pho Commune was also brought down.
More than 1,200 hectares of summer-autumn rice were flooded across the province, while nearly 56 hectares of other crops were damaged.
A thunderstorm in Dan Hai Commune at around 12.30 pm left one person dead and another seriously injured after they were struck by lightning.
Later on August 20, torrents of water flowed downstream into Son Kim 2 Commune following prolonged heavy rain, causing the Ngan Pho River to rise sharply. Residents were advised to avoid areas at risk of flooding and landslides.
Three reservoirs Thuong Song Tri, Kim Son and Da Bac were scheduled to release water from the afternoon of August 20 and the morning of August 21 to regulate reservoir levels.
Ha Tinh Vice Chairman Ho Huy Thanh urged local authorities to closely monitor vulnerable areas and prepare for possible landslides and flash floods.
