A sinkhole in Quảng Ninh's 18B National Highway on August 21. VNA/VNS Photo

QUẢNG NINH - On Saturday morning the Quảng Ninh Provincial Hydrometeorological Station reported that in the past 24 hours, the province had experienced moderate to heavy rainfall, with some places recording extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 100mm.

In Cẩm Phả City, the rainfall measured at several locations, including Cửa Ông Meteorological Station, was 105.8mm, and the City People's Committee recorded 110.6mm. In Cô Tô District, Trần Island recorded 123.8mm, while the centre of Cô Tô District recorded 69.2mm. In Vân Đồn District, rainfall at Khe Mai was measured at 98.4mm, and Lòng Dinh at 192.0mm.

Heavy rainfall has caused the soil moisture in several areas of Quảng Ninh Province to near saturation (80-85 per cent) or reach full saturation over 90 per cent, such as in Hạ Long City, Uông Bí, Cẩm Phả, Móng Cái, Đông Triều Town, Quảng Yên, and the districts of Ba Chẽ, Vân Đồn, Tiên Yên, Đầm Hà, and Hải Hà.

With the ongoing heavy rains and the soil moisture nearing or reaching full saturation, there is a high risk of flash floods, landslides, and ground subsidence along small streams, mountain slopes, steep embankments, roads, and areas with ongoing construction. Localised flooding in low-lying areas within districts, cities, and towns across the province is also expected.

Forecasts indicate that due to the influence of a low-pressure trough across the northern region combined with continued upper-level wind convergence, Quảng Ninh Province will continue to experience moderate to heavy rain, with some places receiving very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms from the morning of August 24 to the morning of August 25. Rainfall amounts will generally range from 30-70mm, with some locations exceeding 100mm. From noon on August 25 to the morning of August 26, Quảng Ninh Province is expected to have scattered showers and thunderstorms. During thunderstorms, there is a potential for whirlwinds, lightning, and strong gusty winds.

Earlier, on August 12, the Quảng Ninh Provincial People's Committee issued a document to implement a directive from the Prime Minister, regarding focused response to the risk of rain, floods, landslides, and flash floods in the northern region.

The province has directed that there be no negligence or complacency before, during, or after the rains and floods, especially in mountainous areas and regions involved in coal mining. The province has emphasised the need to thoroughly implement the principles of "three prior, four on-the-spot," "early, from afar, from the base," and the motto "actively, proactively, prevent and be ready to respond promptly and effectively," in preparation for and dealing with the consequences of rains and floods, with a firm resolve to prevent any loss of life and minimise property damage.

A house in Bạch Đằng, Hòa An, Cao Bằng covered in mud. VNA/VNS Photo

Prolonged heavy rains cause significant disruption in Cao Bằng

From August 22 to 23, prolonged heavy rains caused water levels in rivers and streams in Cao Bằng Province to rise significantly. This led to the flooding of several agricultural land areas, with many transportation routes submerged under deep water and numerous roads suffering from landslides.

According to a report from the Office of the Steering Committee for Civil Defence, Disaster Prevention, and Search and Rescue in Cao Bằng Province, preliminary statistics show that over 145 hectares of rice fields and crops were inundated due to the inability to drain floodwaters in time. The most affected districts were Hà Quảng with over 100 hectares and Trùng Khánh with more than 38 hectares.

Regarding transportation, many sections of the Hồ Chí Minh road from Hà Quảng to Cao Bằng City were deeply submerged, with water levels ranging from 0.5 to 1 metre, particularly in Xuân Hòa Town and Nà Rị Hamlet, Nam Tuấn Commune in Hà Quảng District, and Nước Hai Town in Hòa An District.

On National Highway 3, the section passing through Bạch Đằng Commune in Hòa An District experienced severe landslides, causing traffic congestion. Provincial Road 202 developed a deep sinkhole at Km10+500 (in Yên Lạc Commune, Nguyên Bình District), resulting in road blockage.

Additionally, dozens of locations on rural roads and inter-hamlet roads were affected by landslides, leading to traffic disruption. In Triệu Nguyên Commune, Nguyên Bình District, Lê Lợi Hamlet Kindergarten and Bình An Hamlet Primary School were struck by lightning, causing damage to some electrical equipment.

In response to these conditions, the Steering Committee for Civil Defence, Disaster Prevention, and Search and Rescue in Cao Bằng province has collaborated with local authorities to closely monitor the situation and prepare for emergency scenarios. They have instructed units to regularly maintain and install warning signs, assign personnel to guard and guide road diversions, and transport rocks to fill temporary holes to ensure traffic safety. In flooded areas, local forces have been mobilised to urgently assist residents in moving their belongings to safer locations. VNS