A Vietnam flash flood has killed at least four people and left four others missing after torrential rain swept through a mountainous village in the northern province of Lai Chau, according to state media. The disaster also injured seven people and caused widespread destruction in the affected area.
The flash flood struck Muong Than village early on Friday following several days of heavy rainfall across northern Vietnam. Rescue teams and local authorities launched search operations to locate the missing while providing emergency assistance to residents affected by the flooding.
Images released by the Vietnam News Agency showed roads buried under mud, rocks and fallen logs, with floodwaters damaging homes and local infrastructure. The heavy rains triggered powerful torrents that swept through the village, leaving extensive destruction in their wake.
The Vietnam flash flood was part of a broader wave of severe weather affecting northern regions of the country. Since Wednesday, heavy rainfall has caused landslides and flooding that damaged roads, electricity networks and hundreds of homes, while inundating approximately 238 hectares of agricultural land.
According to Vietnam’s disaster management agency, additional heavy rainfall of up to 250 millimetres was forecast for several northern provinces on Saturday. Authorities warned that more flash floods and landslides could occur as wet weather continues across the region.
Vietnam experiences frequent natural disasters during its annual rainy season, which typically peaks between July and September. Mountainous areas are particularly vulnerable to flash floods and landslides because of steep terrain and intense seasonal rainfall.
Government data show that natural disasters, mainly floods, claimed 489 lives across Vietnam last year. Authorities have urged residents in high-risk areas to remain alert and follow evacuation advisories as dangerous weather conditions persist.
