Masses of water

Deaths in tropical storm “Prapiroon” in Vietnam

In some regions, over 300 liters of rain per square meter fell.(Bild: AFP/AFP (Archivbild))

At least ten people have died this week in northern Vietnam in severe flooding and landslides caused by tropical storm "Prapiroon", according to the authorities. Nine more people are missing. 

The storm reached Vietnam on Tuesday and brought heavy rainfall with it. According to the authorities, over 300 liters of rain per square meter fell in some regions.

Floodwaters rose up to the roofs of houses
There were seven deaths in Son La province, two in Dien Bien province and one in the capital Hanoi. In Dien Bien, the floodwaters rose up to the roofs of hundreds of houses, as pictures in state media showed. Roads in the region were washed away by the masses of water or buried by landslides.

Arable land and livestock lost
Agriculture was also severely affected, according to reports. Almost 30,000 hectares of rice and other agricultural fields were flooded. Cattle and poultry farms lost almost 20,000 animals. The rainfall has now subsided in the region, but a new heatwave is forecast for the next few days.