Four die in northern Vietnam flash floods as heavy rain continues

At least four people have died and four others remain missing after flash floods swept through a mountainous village in northern Vietnam, as days of heavy rain continue to batter the region.

The flooding struck Muong Than village in Lai Chau province early on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction. Seven other people were injured, according to the state-run Vietnam News Agency.

Images published by the agency showed thick red mud and floodwater covering homes and roads. Large rocks and fallen tree trunks were scattered across damaged roads, making access to the village difficult.

Rescue teams continued searching for the missing as authorities worked to clear debris and restore access.

Since Wednesday, heavy rain has triggered landslides and flash floods across northern Vietnam, damaging roads, power lines and hundreds of homes.

The government's disaster management agency said around 238 hectares of farmland had also been flooded.

Forecasters warned that several parts of northern Vietnam could be inundated with up to 250 millimetres of rain on Saturday, increasing the risk of further flash floods and landslides.

Vietnam faces annual flood threat

Vietnam is regularly hit by severe storms and flooding during the rainy season, which typically runs from July to September.

Government data show that natural disasters, most of them floods, claimed 489 lives across the country last year.

Read more: 

• China evacuates more than 260,000 to safety as Typhoon Bavi floods northeast
• Monsoon floods kill dozens, strand over a million in Bangladesh
• China braces for more flooding as second tropical cyclone in a week set to hit

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