Da Nang's Military Command activated its disaster response plan on Thursday, October 8, as prolonged downpours caused localized flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in parts of the city's mountainous districts.

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Da Nang's Military Command holds an emergency meeting to coordinate civil defense, disaster prevention and search-and-rescue operations. Photo: Anh Cuong.

The command held an emergency meeting to coordinate civil defense, disaster prevention and search-and-rescue operations, establishing five response groups comprising nearly 130 officers and soldiers stationed in vulnerable areas.

The groups have been assigned to coordinate with local authorities, monitor developments and mobilize personnel and equipment when emergencies arise.

Their command posts are located at Signal Company 1, Infantry Regiment 30, the Tra My Commune Military Command and Infantry Regiment 885. The fifth group operates from military command offices in Dien Ban Ward and Dai Loc Commune.

Three additional search-and-rescue teams, each consisting of nearly 20 personnel, have been formed and equipped with specialized vehicles and equipment.

Two mobile command teams, headed by the city Military Command's commander and political commissar, have also been placed on standby.

Amphibious armored vehicles have been ordered to remain ready for deployment to flooded or isolated communities if conditions worsen.

In Nui Thanh Commune, heavy rain inundated areas around Binh Minh Kindergarten and the villages of Son Trung and Khuong Quang. Floodwaters exceeded one meter in some locations, disrupting travel and daily life.

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Amphibious armored vehicles are placed on standby for emergency rescue operations in flooded areas. Photo: Anh Cuong.

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Military personnel in Nui Thanh Commune coordinate with other forces to assist residents affected by flooding. Photo: Anh Cuong.

Local military personnel, working alongside border guards and community security forces, helped move children from flooded areas to safety. They also assisted residents in raising household belongings and moving property away from places at risk of deeper flooding.

Rescue personnel remained stationed at inundated locations to support residents and minimize damage.

Colonel Nguyen The Vinh, commander of Da Nang's Military Command, instructed units to prepare for possible flash floods, landslides, severe inundation and communities being cut off by rising water.

He also ordered regular monitoring of reservoir operations and water releases, while border guards were tasked with coordinating rescue operations in coastal areas.

Units must provide situation reports every two hours and immediately notify commanders of emergencies to ensure personnel and equipment can be dispatched without delay, with protecting lives and property the highest priority.

Woman survives river accident as search continues for husband

The dangers posed by rising water were underscored by a boat accident on the Truong Giang River that left a man missing and his wife fighting for survival.

At around 3 p.m. on October 7, Nguyen Tan D., born in 1960, and his wife, Duong Thi L., born in 1966, from An Phu residential area in Quang Phu Ward, were returning home by small boat after cutting grass near Ky Phu Bridge.

Their boat unexpectedly capsized.

Unable to swim, the woman clung to a sack of grass as the current carried her nearly 300 meters downstream. Local residents eventually spotted her and brought her safely ashore.

Her husband was swept away and remained missing.

Following the incident, the Quang Phu Ward Military Command deployed 12 officers and soldiers to join police, local authorities and other responders in the search.

The Quang Nam SOS volunteer rescue team also dispatched two motorboats and eight volunteers to assist.

Le Hong Nghia, leader of the volunteer team, said the swollen river and strong currents were making the operation particularly difficult.

As of the latest reported search update at 12:20 p.m. on October 8, rescue teams had not located the missing man.

Heavy rain to shift north as central Vietnam faces further flood risks

The emergency response comes as central Vietnam continues to experience widespread heavy rain, with forecasters warning of further flooding and landslide risks.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, rainfall across Hue and Da Nang was forecast to reach 150-300mm during October 8, with some locations potentially receiving more than 500mm.

Eastern Quang Ngai was expected to record 100-200mm, with localized rainfall exceeding 300mm.

Rainfall in these areas is forecast to gradually ease from Friday, October 9, but the heaviest rain is expected to shift northward.

Between Ha Tinh and Quang Tri, rainfall during October 8-9 was forecast at 50-120mm, locally exceeding 200mm.

Thanh Hoa and Nghe An are expected to see widespread showers and thunderstorms on October 9, with rainfall generally reaching 20-40mm and exceeding 80mm in some places.

From the night of October 9 through October 10, areas between Thanh Hoa and Quang Tri could receive another 40-100mm, with localized totals above 150mm. Heavy rain is expected to ease from October 11.

Forecasters warned that intense downpours could exceed 100mm within three hours, significantly increasing the risk of flash floods in small rivers and streams, landslides on steep slopes and flooding in low-lying residential, urban and industrial areas.

Residents have also been advised to watch for lightning, hail, whirlwinds and strong gusts during thunderstorms.

Elsewhere, northern Vietnam enjoyed generally dry and sunny weather on October 8 as a cold air mass weakened, with daytime highs around 29-32 degrees Celsius. Hanoi recorded forecast highs of 30-32 degrees, although temperatures remained cooler overnight and early in the morning.

In southern Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms remained in the forecast, with temperatures generally reaching 31-34 degrees across the southern region.

For central Vietnam, however, the immediate concern remains the threat from persistent rainfall, rising rivers and unstable hillsides. Authorities are maintaining rescue readiness as the weather system moves north and vulnerable communities face the possibility of further flooding.

Ho Giap - Ha Nam - Bao Anh