Homes in Lương Văn Tri Ward, Lạng Sơn Province, are inundated.

LẠNG SƠN — Prolonged heavy rain caused by Storm No 4 has triggered widespread flooding and landslides across Lạng Sơn Province, damaging homes and crops, disrupting transport and leaving several residential areas isolated.

Preliminary figures compiled by noon on August 22 showed that more than 300 homes and outbuildings had been affected. Around 120 houses had sustained roof damage or been hit by landslides, while another 180 were flooded, damaging residents’ property.

In Ba Sơn Commune, one house collapsed completely, although no casualties were reported. Landslides and deep flooding also left five households isolated.

More than 560ha of agricultural crops and forest plantations were affected across the province.

Flooding and landslides were recorded at more than 290 locations along local roads, temporarily cutting off some areas. In Kỳ Lừa Ward, around 1,300 traders at Giếng Vuông and Bản Ngà markets were affected.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Lạng Sơn Provincial People’s Committee Đinh Hữu Học and an inspection team monitor water levels in the Kỳ Cùng River.

River levels continue to rise

Particular concern has centred on the rapidly rising Kỳ Cùng and Trung rivers, which could directly threaten thousands of households living along their banks.

At noon on August 22, the Kỳ Cùng River at the Lạng Sơn monitoring station stood at 255m, one metre below the third warning level. By Saturday afternoon, it had risen to 255.07m and was expected to continue rising.

At the Hữu Lũng station on the Trung River, the water level reached 181.8m, 18cm above the second warning level. The Bắc Giang River at the Vân Mịch station remained below the first warning level.

With rain continuing and more water flowing in from upstream, the risks of flooding, flash floods and landslides remain high, particularly in riverside and low-lying areas, steep mountainous terrain, construction sites and along dangerous mountain passes.

From August 22 to 24, Lạng Sơn is forecast to experience heavy to extremely heavy rain, with widespread totals of 100–200mm and up to 500mm in some areas.

Evacuations under way

The Lạng Sơn Provincial Civil Defence Command and local authorities are implementing emergency measures under the “four-on-the-spot” approach.

On the morning of August 22, the province established three inspection teams to examine vulnerable locations, direct evacuations and oversee efforts to address the damage.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Lạng Sơn Provincial People’s Committee Đinh Hữu Học and an inspection team examined flood response measures in Lương Văn Tri Ward and monitored water levels in the Kỳ Cùng River.

The provincial police, Provincial Military Command and militia forces mobilised nearly 1,000 officers and soldiers to evacuate residents, move property and establish checkpoints in dangerous areas.

All personnel remained on duty and were ready to reinforce locations where conditions exceeded local response capacity.

Residents along rivers were advised to prepare to relocate and move their belongings to higher ground. Those facing rapidly rising water or the risk of deep flooding were required to leave their homes for safer areas.

Emergency forces also tightened controls to ensure that no residents remained in areas vulnerable to deep flooding or landslides.

Rising water from the Kỳ Cùng River floods riverside homes in Lương Văn Tri Ward, Lạng Sơn Province. VNA/VNS Photo Văn Đạt

The rising Kỳ Cùng River causes deep flooding in riverside and low-lying areas of Lạng Sơn Province.

Reservoir release

The Lộc Bình Irrigation Works Management Enterprise announced that one low-level spillway gate at the Bản Lải Reservoir would be opened from 7pm on August 22.

Water would be discharged at approximately 214.6 cubic metres per second in accordance with reservoir operating procedures to ensure the safety of the facility.

The release could alter downstream flows through Khánh Khê, Khuất Xá, Na Dương, Lộc Bình and Thống Nhất communes.

Residents were instructed to move people, property and livestock away from low-lying areas and avoid crossing flooded causeways or low-water crossings when water levels rose.

In Khánh Khê Commune, four downstream homes had already been flooded almost to their roofs.

The rising Kỳ Cùng River causes deep flooding in riverside and low-lying areas of Lạng Sơn Province.

Local authorities mobilised police, militia and other on-site forces to help residents move their belongings and identify households at risk of becoming isolated before the reservoir began releasing water.

“As soon as we received information from the Bản Lải Reservoir, we immediately notified residents,” said Triệu Đức Dũng, Chairman of the Khánh Khê Commune People’s Committee.

“Households in dangerous areas were told to move urgently because four downstream homes were already flooded almost to their roofs. We are working with the police and militia to help families move their belongings to safe places.” VNS