Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 8 visited the northern province of Thai Nguyen to inspect flood-hit areas, encourage local residents, and direct efforts to overcome the consequences of severe flooding triggered by typhoon Matmo.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits and encourages people affected by floods in Phan Dinh Phung ward of Thai Nguyen province.

Heavy rains from the circulation of typhoon Matmo between October 6 and 7 caused record flooding in Thai Nguyen, with rainfall reaching 250–400mm, and in some places exceeding 500mm.

At 5:00 on October 8, the Cau River’s water level at Gia Bay station rose to 29.9m, 2.9m above warning level 3 and surpassing the historic 2024 flood peak by 1.09m.

Nearly 50 communes and wards were submerged, with many areas in Vo Nhai, Trang Xa, Dan Tien, Trai Cau, Nam Hoa, Hop Tien, Linh Son, Phan Dinh Phung, Quan Trieu, and Van Lang isolated.

Widespread power outages and communication disruptions occurred, while landslides posed serious risks to people, infrastructure, and public works.

Preliminary reports showed that floods killed four people, left two missing, and injured two others. More than 5,450 houses were damaged or inundated, of which 490 households were evacuated urgently.

Over 4,400 hectares of crops and aquaculture farms were submerged, and more than 58,000 poultry were killed or swept away. Roads and bridges were destroyed, disrupting traffic across the province.

PM Chinh visited Phan Dinh Phung and Quan Trieu wards, which were among the hardest hit, where hundreds of homes remained under deep water.

He offered words of comfort and encouragement to local residents and authorities, expressing his deep sympathy for their losses.

“The Party, the State, and the military and public security forces are always by the people’s side, especially in difficult times,” he said, stressing that ensuring the safety, happiness, and wellbeing of the people remains the country’s highest goal.

PM Chinh instructed local authorities to prioritise protecting lives, promptly relocate residents from high-risk and inundated areas, and mobilise all available forces and equipment, including helicopters, if necessary, to deliver food, water, and essential supplies to isolated communities, stressing that no one is left hungry, thirsty, or without shelters.

The government leader also directed the province to take care of those injured, arrange proper funerals for the deceased, and search for the missing.

After his field trip, the PM chaired a meeting with provincial leaders to review the disaster response and recovery efforts. On behalf of Party General Secretary To Lam and Party and State leaders, he conveyed their deepest condolences to the people and authorities of Thai Nguyen, particularly families who lost loved members.

Commending the province for promptly evacuating residents and delivering essential supplies, PM Chinh urged continued vigilance and stronger coordination with the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security to prevent further floods, landslides, and flash floods.

He called for urgent restoration of power, telecommunications, and transport connections, as well as the reopening of hospitals, schools, and administrative offices.

Local authorities were told to assist people in repairing homes, cleaning the environment, preventing disease outbreaks, and resuming production.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directs rescue work and overcoming the consequences of floods that caused widespread inundation in Phan Dinh Phung ward of Thai Nguyen province.

In the long term, PM Chinh approved Thai Nguyen’s proposal to build and upgrade flood prevention and dyke systems along the Cau River to enhance safety for residents and infrastructure.

He asked the province to expedite preparations for the project under emergency procedures, targeting completion by the 2026 flood season.

Emphasising the spirit of solidarity and compassion, the PM called on ministries, sectors, organisations, and individuals nationwide to join hands in supporting flood-hit residents in Thai Nguyen and other northern provinces.

Responding to his appeal, Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang, on behalf of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defence, presented 5 billion VND (nearly 190,000 USD) to Thai Nguyen to help overcome the aftermath of the disaster.

Earlier the same day, the PM approved an allocation of 140 billion VND from the 2025 central budget contingency fund for Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Bac Ninh provinces to assist residents and support initial recovery efforts.

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