After Typhoon Bualoi battered northern and central Vietnam, rising floodwaters from upstream forced thousands in Nghe An to seek refuge on rooftops as entire villages were submerged.

Following Typhoon No. 10, floodwaters surged from upstream, submerging large areas of Nghe An province. Especially in the former Tan Ky district, thousands of households were inundated.

On the night of September 30, many areas experienced deep flooding. Residents turned to social media to plead for rescue. With water rising to roof level, entire families were forced to climb onto their rooftops to spend the night. The scenes have moved millions across the country.

Nguyen Tien Loi, a resident of Nghia Hanh commune in Nghe An, shared: “Typhoon No. 10 caused heavy damage to my family. Before we had time to recover, the floods came rushing in, submerging our entire commune.”

“On the evening of September 30, water levels rose rapidly. With no place to take shelter, the four of us had to climb onto the roof to sleep overnight while waiting for rescue forces. After the devastation of the typhoon, the flooding has left us with no options.”

According to the leadership of Nghia Hanh commune, all 21 villages are currently underwater, with 17 severely inundated. Hundreds of homes have water reaching the rooftops. Although the commune only experienced light rain following the typhoon, flood discharges from the hydropower plant in Que Phong commune triggered severe downstream flooding.

In response to the severe situation, the local Civil Defense Command in Nghia Hanh quickly implemented emergency measures under the principle: “Be proactive, urgent, not complacent, and prioritize the safety of life and property.”

The People’s Committee of Nghia Hanh also urgently appealed to Nghe An province and relevant departments for emergency assistance in response to the worsening flood situation.

Currently, 17 out of 21 villages remain deeply submerged and completely isolated. Life for residents is extremely difficult, with shortages of essential supplies and increased risk to life and property.

Though the commune has more than 30 kilometers of river routes, it lacks rescue boats and rafts. The local police and military forces are too limited in number to meet the urgent rescue demands.

Facing this emergency, the People’s Committee of Nghia Hanh has requested that provincial authorities quickly reinforce the area with rescue personnel and equipment, provide food and necessities to flood-hit residents, and devise long-term plans to help the community stabilize life after the floods.

Vinh River embankment breach floods neighborhoods and urban zones

On the morning of October 1, authorities in Truong Vinh ward (Nghe An) reported that a 15-meter section of the Vinh River embankment suddenly collapsed, causing water to gush into residential and urban areas and creating widespread local flooding.

The breach occurred near the Con Moc barrage on Vinh Giang Road. The embankment, which also served as a city road and flood barrier, continued to deteriorate. By 8:00 a.m., the rupture extended beyond 6 meters, with visible cracking threatening further collapse and increased water inflow into protected areas.

Local residents reported that from early morning, the embankment had “split apart,” and torrents of water flowed into urban zones, leaving people panicked and scrambling to alert authorities due to the dangerous and expanding breach.

Upon receiving the report, the Truong Vinh ward People's Committee mobilized hundreds of responders, including police, militia, and technical units. Machinery and truckloads of rocks were brought to the site to temporarily reinforce and repair the breached embankment.

“We are working urgently to patch the breach and are advising residents to avoid the danger zone,” said local authorities.

Thien Luong