In Nguyen Binh and Tinh Tuc communes, landslides blocked National Highway 34 as rocks and soil spilled onto the road. Fallen trees and collapsed power poles also left vehicles unable to pass.

Meanwhile, localized flooding affected residential areas and roads in the communes of Thong Nong, Nam Tuan and Hoa An, disrupting daily life and transportation.

Emergency crews were quickly deployed to the affected areas to assist residents, direct traffic and clear landslides, fallen trees and other hazards.

As meteorologists forecast continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in the upstream catchment, Bach Dang Hydropower Plant announced it would begin releasing floodwaters at 1:30 p.m. on June 26.

The controlled release could affect downstream areas in Bach Dang Commune, where the Hien River is expected to rise by 1-1.5 meters above its current level.

The hydropower plant urged local authorities to notify riverside communities through public loudspeaker systems and warn residents to stay away from riverbanks once the water release begins.

Residents and businesses along the river were advised to move people and property to safer locations, secure boats and take other precautionary measures.

As severe weather continues, Cao Bang People's Committee Chairman Le Hai Hoa issued an urgent directive instructing government agencies and local authorities not to underestimate the flood risk or rely solely on current river levels when planning emergency responses.

Instead, authorities were told to prepare according to forecast peak flood levels, complete warning measures, arrange evacuations and position emergency response teams before rivers exceed Warning Level III.

Local authorities were also instructed to notify every household in flood-prone areas, prioritize the evacuation of elderly people, children, patients and people with disabilities, and prepare rescue forces while restricting people and vehicles from entering dangerous flooded areas.

The chairman warned that heads of agencies and local authorities would be held directly responsible for any losses resulting from complacency, delayed action or failure to implement the government's instructions.

Trong Tung