Vietnam's Northern Region Hit by Widespread Flooding Amid Record River Levels

In Vietnam's northern Ninh Binh province, the Hoang Long River has reached record peak levels, while the Day River continues to rise. This situation poses a risk of widespread flooding across dozens of communes and wards, raising concerns for residents' livelihoods. The Ninh Binh Hydrometeorological Station reported that the water level on the Hoang Long River officially peaked at 2 AM today at the Ben De station, reaching 4.42m, exceeding alarm level III by 0.42m. This marks a historically high level. Meanwhile, the Day River's water level is still rising. At 5 AM today, the Phu Ly station recorded a water level of 4.42m, exceeding alarm level III by 0.42m. The Ninh Binh station recorded 3.04m, surpassing alarm level III by 0.04m. According to the Ninh Binh Hydrometeorological Station, the water level on the Hoang Long River will recede slowly over the next 6-12 hours. However, at the Ben De station, the water level is expected to remain high, above alarm level III. The Gian Khau station is predicted to reach its flood peak early on September 17, at 3.60m, just below alarm level III. Over the next 6-12 hours, the water level on the Day River will continue to rise, with the flood peak anticipated to occur on the afternoon and evening of September 17. The Phu Ly station may reach 4.60m, exceeding alarm level III by 0.60m. The Ninh Binh station is projected to rise to 3.30m, surpassing alarm level II by 0.30m. In the following 12-24 hours, the water levels on the Hoang Long and Day rivers will descend slowly, but will remain at high alarm levels. Due to the rising waters of both river systems, the hydrometeorological agency warns of widespread flooding in low-lying areas, riverbank plains, and estuary regions along the coast. Communes and wards at high risk of flooding include Gia Phong, Gia Hung, Gia Lam, Nho Quan, Phu Son, Gia Tuong, Gia Vien, Dai Hoang, Gia Tran... (Hoang Long River system); and Tam Chuc, Nguyen Uy, Kim Bang, Ly Thuong Kiet, Phu Van, Phu Ly, Chau Son, Tan Thanh, Thanh Lam, Phong Doanh, Yen Yen, Hoa Lu, Yen Dong, Dong Hoa Lu... (Day River system). As of 4 PM on September 16, 921 households in Ninh Binh province had already been affected by flooding. Heavy and prolonged rainfall continued in Ninh Binh province from the night of September 16 to the early morning of September 17. The rising floodwaters combined with rain caused a landslide on the upstream slope of the left bank of the Day River, in the Kim Bang ward. The incident was discovered at 8 AM on September 16. According to the Kim Bang Dyke Management Station, the landslide had a scarp length of approximately 18m. The top of the scarp was at +8.15m, with a width of 0.5-1m. The base of the scarp ranged from +8.05m to +6.48m, with a vertical depth of 0.5-1.7m, and the edge of the scarp was close to the dike's surface. Immediately after the incident was discovered, the Kim Bang Ward People's Committee, in coordination with the Kim Bang Dyke Management Station, mobilized 130 people, excavators, and 5,000 sandbags to urgently address the landslide on the upstream slope of the Day River's left bank, completing the work by 5 PM on the same day. In the Northern region, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An, heavy rainfall continued on the night of September 16 and early morning of September 17. Many areas in Hanoi experienced over 100mm of rain, causing widespread waterlogging on numerous streets. Information Source: The Saigon Times