A house in Coc Nam village, Ban Nhung commune (Hoang Su Phi district - Ha Giang province) was completely buried in soil and rock. (Source: VNA)

According to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, on the night of July 23, the mountainous area of the Northern region had scattered showers and thunderstorms, locally with moderate rain and heavy rain with 10-30mm / 12h rainfall, some places over 50mm / 12h, whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong winds are likely to occur in thunderstorms. Level of disaster risk caused by tornado, lightning, hail at level 1.

Particularly in Ha Giang, up to 1 hour on 23/7, this area still rains with rainfall in places over 50mm. High risk of flash floods and landslides in Vi Xuyen district, Ha Giang city, Bac Quang, Quan Ba, Xin Man and Bac Me.

Floods that lasted from the beginning of the week caused great damage due to people being surprised, especially in places that were considered safe. People are not subjective with floods and flash floods at any time during the rainy season.

According to information from the VNDMA, there are still many difficulties in forecasting floods and flash floods not only for Vietnam but also for the world, especially in the Northern mountainous region due to specific characteristics about the divided terrain. Rain measuring stations in the northern mountainous area have grown as large as Ha Giang with 30 stations.

However, the last rain was too big, too abnormal. Rainfall measurement data must be provided via the mass media, even by text so that people can catch and be ready for the response, especially the timely evacuation of assets and properties. 

Heavy rains and thunderstorms also occurred in the middle and southern waters of the South China Sea, the Spratly Islands, and the waters from Binh Dinh to Ca Mau on the night of July 23 and 24, due to the influence of the eastern wind zone. Fishermen should be careful in the event of a thunderstorm and the possibility of strong winds.