Authorities cordon off the collapsed section of Provincial Road 161. — VNA/VNS Photo

LÀO CAI — Torrential rain triggered flash flooding and landslides across the northern province of Lào Cai this week, leaving two people missing, destroying homes and damaging a major provincial highway, local authorities announced on Friday.

Hundreds of soldiers, police and local militia worked through the night alongside residents to search for those missing and clear the roads, as officials warned that saturated ground could trigger further landslides.

One of the missing people disappeared near a landslide by a hydropower reservoir; the other vanished while fishing in a stream as the rain hit. Search teams were focusing on streams and downstream areas, and officials said the operation remained the top priority.

The rain damaged or flooded at least 10 homes, with one submerged under more than two metres of water. Authorities evacuated 34 households, including 135 people, from high-risk areas and were reviewing dozens more homes for possible evacuation as the risk of further collapse grew.

More than 22.8ha of crops were destroyed, and several irrigation systems and schools were damaged. Landslides struck local roads at more than 40 points, burying them under an estimated 6,545cu.m of earth and rock – not counting several large slides still being assessed.

Total damage was estimated at roughly VNĐ971 million (approximately US$37,000).

The most severe single incident came late Thursday, when a 30-metre section of Provincial Road 161 collapsed entirely, sliding into the Red River. Police rushed to the scene overnight, setting up checkpoints and diverting traffic around the ruptured roadway.

Authorities said they were continuing to monitor conditions and urged residents to avoid landslide-affected areas and stay alert to weather and road updates.

Local governments have mobilised heavy machinery to clear debris, reopen key routes and help residents resume normal life. — VNS