Central Vietnam Hit by Heavy Rains, Flooding, Landslides; Evacuations Underway

Quang Tri Province in central Vietnam is facing widespread flooding and landslides due to heavy, continuous rainfall that began on September 13. Rivers have seen rapid water level increases, leading to submerged roads and significant landslips in several areas, causing localized traffic disruptions. Authorities are urgently evacuating residents from at-risk zones. Rainfall in the province has ranged from 50-100mm in the lowlands to 100-300mm in the mountainous regions, with some areas exceeding 400mm. Water levels in the Ô Lâu, Mỹ Chánh, Hiếu, and Thạch Hãn rivers have temporarily surpassed alert level 3. Heavy rains have caused extensive flooding and traffic congestion, particularly in the southwestern mountainous areas. A landslide at Km10 of National Highway 15D, in La Lay xã, has deposited approximately 40 cubic meters of soil and rocks, rendering the road impassable for both people and vehicles. Further landslips, involving around 4 cubic meters of debris, have occurred on a concrete road near the Ba Nang Border Guard Station in Đakrông xã. Another section of road connecting Trường Sơn xã and the former Trường Xuân xã has also seen a landslip of about 30 cubic meters. Along the coast in Mỹ Thủy xã, strong waves have caused severe erosion, eating away 6-7 meters, and in some sections nearly 10 meters, of the shoreline. This has resulted in significant damage to numerous coastal structures. In the afternoon of September 13, rising waters in the Ô Lâu River caused a cluster of three barges to break free from their moorings upstream. The barges drifted downstream and collided with the abutment of the Mỹ Chánh railway bridge at Km788+357 on National Highway 1A, in Nam Hải Lăng xã. Local authorities mobilized quickly to secure the scene and devise rescue plans. As of 5:00 PM on September 13, Quang Tri Province had evacuated 653 households, comprising 2,468 people, from areas prone to flooding and landslides to safer locations. The Provincial Military Command has deployed hundreds of officers and soldiers, along with equipment, to assist local authorities in moving residents' belongings and to prepare for further evacuations if the situation deteriorates. Forecasts indicate that Quang Tri will continue to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms on September 14 and 15, with total rainfall expected to be between 150-300mm, and potentially exceeding 400mm in some areas. There is also a risk of intense rainfall, with intensities of 100mm within a three-hour period. The Provincial Civil Defense Command has instructed all localities to closely monitor the evolving flood and landslide situation, proactively evacuate residents from high-risk zones, and ensure traffic safety and readiness for response in deeply flooded or cut-off areas.