A flash flood in Phi Nhu Commune, Dien Bien Dong District, Dien Bien Province, northern Vietnam resulted in 30 houses being engulfed by mud on Friday.

A commune leader confirmed that heavy rain hit Phi Nhu around midnight, causing a flash flood on a local stream at about 1:00 am. 

“The massive flash flood carried soil, rocks, and trees, sweeping through the petrol station area in Suoi Lu Village,” the leader recounted. 

“The flash flood occurred at midnight, but residents spotted it in time and warned each other to flee. 

“Some individuals were swept away by the flood, but fortunately, they were not carried far and were rescued.”

A house collapses following a flash flood in Phi Nhu Commune, Dien Bien Dong District, Dien Bien Province, northern Vietnam on May 10, 2024. Photo: Dien Bien Dong

The flash flood resulted in the complete collapse of a house and submerged approximately 30 houses under thick layers of rock and soil, ranging from 30 to 50cm deep, causing significant property damage.

On Friday morning, Dien Bien Dong District mobilized around 200 individuals, including district police officers, military personnel, commune youth union members, and local residents, to assist with mud removal and address the aftermath of the flood.

Mud and dirt inundate homes, causing property damage following a flash flood n Phi Nhu Commune, Dien Bien Dong District, Dien Bien Province, northern Vietnam on May 10, 2024. Photo: Dien Bien Dong

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that the northern mountainous region experienced scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout Friday, with localized heavy rain concentrated during the night and morning, resulting in rainfall ranging from 10 to 30mm, and in some areas exceeding 70mm. 

Thunderstorms carried the risk of whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong winds. 

Localized heavy rain had the potential to trigger flash floods in small rivers and streams, cause landslides on slopes, and inundate low-lying areas.

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