Central Vietnam floods persist as tropical depression dissipates

Quang Tri still faces flooding and isolation

Many mountainous and low-lying areas of central Quang Tri province remained flooded and cut off on September 14 following heavy rain. Several national and provincial roads, along with overflow bridges and low-water crossings, were still inundated, disrupting traffic.

According to a report from the Standing Office of the Provincial Civil Defence Command, as of 6 a.m. on September 14, localised flooding and isolation persisted at several overflow bridges and low-water crossings in La Lay, A Doi, Dakrong, Truong Son, Lia, Huong Phung, Kim Ngan, Kim Phu, Huong Hiep, Tan Lap, Vinh O and Khe Sanh communes.

In Lao Bao commune, 312 homes were flooded. Another 105 homes in Quang Tri ward, 126 in Ba Long commune and 48 in Nam Hai Lang commune were also inundated. A number of locations in Tuyen Phu and Tuyen Hoa communes were flooded, cutting off clusters of residential areas.

Heavy rain also triggered landslides along a number of roads. At Section Km31 of National Highway 15D in Ta Rut commune, around 20 cubic metres of earth and rock slid onto the road, while about 40 cubic metres fell at Section Km10 of the same highway in La Lay commune. Other roads in Dakrong, Truong Son and Khe Sanh continued to experience landslides and subsidence.

Of particular concern, floodwaters from the O Giang River rose rapidly and flowed strongly near the My Chanh railway bridge in Nam Hai Lang commune, sweeping three barges downstream before they became lodged near the bridge. The incident posed a direct risk to the railway structure, National Highway 1 and inland waterway traffic.

The flooding has also affected agricultural production. More than 340 hectares of rice in Quang Tri were inundated or flattened, with some vegetable-growing areas and aquaculture ponds also affected.

Heavy rain keeps river levels high

According to the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control, from 7 p.m. on September 10 to 7 a.m. on September 14, the area from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai experienced heavy to very heavy rain, with cumulative rainfall generally ranging from 150mm to 400mm. Quang Tri and Hue recorded broader rainfall totals of 400–600mm.

Exceptionally high rainfall was recorded at several locations, including 834mm in Ta Long, Quang Tri; 757mm at the La To hydropower dam in Quang Tri; 1,308mm at Bach Ma in Hue; 768mm in Nham, Hue; and 762mm in Ta Luong, Hue.

After several days of intense rainfall, river systems from Thanh Hoa to Hue are under close watch. At 6 a.m. on September 14, the Thach Han River at Thach Han station stood at 5.28m, 0.72m below the highest, Level 3 flood alert. The river had earlier peaked at 6.39m at 9 p.m. on September 13, exceeding the highest alert level by 0.39m.

The Gianh River at Mai Hoa station was at 4.68m, 0.32m below the Level 2 flood alert, while the Bo River at Phu Oc station reached 1.62m, 0.12m above the Level 1 flood alert.

Disaster authorities forecast that rivers from Thanh Hoa to Hue could rise to flood levels through September 16. The Ngan Sau and Ngan Pho rivers in Ha Tinh may reach alert levels 2–3, while the Thach Han river is expected to remain around levels 1–2. Other rivers are generally forecast to reach levels 1–2, with some potentially exceeding level 2.

Tropical depression fades, but flooding risk persists

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said the tropical depression weakened into a low-pressure area over western Quang Tri on the evening of September 13. By the morning of September 14, the system had moved farther inland into central Laos and continued to weaken and dissipate.

The system’s dissipation, however, does not mean the end of the flooding. From early September 14 through the night of September 15, areas from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh are forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rain and thunderstorms, with rainfall generally ranging from 150–300mm and locally exceeding 450mm.

For the broader period from September 14 to 16, rainfall in the southern Red River Delta and areas from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh could total 180–350mm, with isolated locations receiving more than 500mm.

With water already accumulated after days of heavy rain, the risks of flooding in low-lying areas, flash floods along small rivers and streams, and landslides in mountainous areas stay high.

As of 6 a.m. on September 14, disaster prevention authorities reported that flooding had inundated 591 homes in Quang Tri, while 712 households in Quang Tri, Hue and Da Nang had been evacuated to safer locations. Nineteen locations on national and provincial roads were flooded and impassable, while 55 overflow bridges, low-water crossings and inter-village roads were submerged by 0.2–0.8m of water, with some locations exceeding 1m, causing isolation.

Local authorities are continuing to closely monitor river levels and warn residents in low-lying areas, along rivers and streams, and in locations vulnerable to flash floods and landslides. They are also controlling people and vehicles crossing overflow bridges and low-water crossings, as well as entering deeply flooded areas with strong currents.

Tropical depression weakens, heavy rain and landslides remain on high alert

VOV.VN - The tropical depression has weakened into a low-pressure area over western Quang Tri province, with maximum sustained winds near its center dropping below 39 km/h.