Typhoon Matmo unleashes devastating flooding in Vietnam

Typhoon Matmo has caused devastating flooding and landslides in northern Vietnam, resulting in multiple fatalities and extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture, with ongoing rescue operations and warnings of further storms. The circulation of Typhoon Matmo brought torrential rains to northern Vietnam on October 7 and 8, 2025, triggering widespread flooding and landslides. Provinces such as Lang Son, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, and the capital Hanoi were severely affected, with rainfall exceeding 200 mm in some areas, submerging low-lying regions and causing rivers to overflow. According to reports from the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority and other sources, the flooding has claimed several lives, with numbers varying between three and eight fatalities, and left multiple people missing. Additionally, over 15,000 homes have been inundated, and more than 14,000 hectares of rice paddies and crops have been destroyed, dealing a heavy blow to local agriculture. Infrastructure has been heavily impacted, with floods and landslides recorded at over 500 locations on major transport routes. A breach was reported at the Bac Khe 1 hydropower dam in Lang Son province, prompting evacuations. Power outages affected hundreds of thousands of customers, particularly in Thai Nguyen province, where nearly 197,000 households were without electricity at one point. Transportation disruptions were widespread, with nearly 20 flights delayed or diverted at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport due to thunderstorms. Roads were paralyzed, and railways on the Hanoi-Dong Dang and Kep-Ha Long lines were affected by flooding and landslides, halting traffic and stranding vehicles. In response, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued urgent orders to strengthen measures against flash floods and landslides. Emergency teams, including military and police, have been deployed to clear debris, reinforce dikes, and assist affected communities. Relief efforts include the deployment of helicopters to deliver supplies to isolated areas. The flooding in Hanoi, which experienced up to 350 mm of rain, has been described as some of the worst in recent years, with schools shifting to online learning and many residents still recovering from previous storms. The event highlights the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather during the typhoon season. As of October 8, waters have begun receding in some areas, but authorities warn of ongoing thunderstorms and potential flash floods. Recovery efforts are underway, with full traffic resumption expected soon, but the long-term implications for food security and infrastructure resilience remain concerns.