8-9-2024 (HANOI) A devastating landslide in Vietnam’s Hoa Binh province has resulted in the tragic loss of four lives, serving as a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature during the country’s stormy season. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of 8 September, has left the local community in shock and authorities scrambling to provide assistance.
According to local officials, the landslide struck at approximately 00:05 local time in Cham hamlet, Tan Minh commune, located in the Da Bac district of Hoa Binh province. The sudden collapse of soil from a nearby hill caused a house to crumble, trapping five family members inside.
The victims have been identified as members of the family of Mr XVS, born in 1973. Tragically, Mr XVS’s wife, daughter, and two grandchildren lost their lives in the incident. Mr XVS himself sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical attention.
A representative from the Da Bac district People’s Committee confirmed the incident, stating, “The landslide completely destroyed the house, burying all five occupants. Our rescue efforts were hampered by ongoing landslides on provincial road 433, a consequence of the recent Typhoon Yagi.”
The official added that local authorities had mobilised rescue teams from Tan Minh commune and enlisted the help of local residents to conduct search and rescue operations. Heavy machinery, including excavators, has been deployed to the site to aid in the recovery efforts.
This tragic event comes amidst a period of severe weather across northern Vietnam. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that a tropical depression, weakened from Typhoon Yagi, was centred over the Northwest region as of 07:00 on 8 September. The storm system has brought heavy rainfall to multiple provinces, with some areas recording over 250mm of precipitation in a matter of hours.
The adverse weather conditions have caused widespread disruption across the region. In Son La province, the Department of Transport reported traffic jams at ten locations across national and provincial highways due to landslides and flooding. Emergency teams have been dispatched with nearly 100 excavators and vehicles to clear affected routes.
Meteorologists predict that the heavy rainfall will continue to affect the Northeast region and Thanh Hoa province until the morning of 9 September, with some mountainous areas potentially receiving over 250mm of rain. The Northwest region, where the tropical depression is currently located, may see rainfall totals of 100-200mm, with some localities possibly exceeding 400mm.
