Typhoon Matmo Vietnam: Severe Flooding Kills 8

Typhoon Matmo’s heavy rains and floods have resulted in eight fatalities and five injuries in Vietnam, emergency service officials said on Wednesday. The Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority reported that over 15,700 homes were submerged and more than 400 damaged, while more than 14,600 hectares of rice and other crops were flooded. The storm’s circulation wreaked havoc across northern Vietnam, with over 4,800 houses inundated and major transport networks badly affected. Local authorities are racing against time to settle the typhoon aftermath and ensure safety for residents in high-risk areas. In Hanoi, torrential rains flooded parts of the city, stranding vehicles and forcing residents to wade through calf-deep water. Inner-city districts have been particularly affected, with drainage struggling to handle the volume of rain. Several schools either closed or switched to online classes, and numerous flights at Noi Bai International Airport faced delays or rescheduling. This event followed closely on the heels of destructive flooding caused by Typhoon Bualoi the previous week, which resulted in at least 51 fatalities and an estimated $600 million in damages nationwide. Many residents had only just begun recovering from that storm when Matmo arrived. The national weather agency predicts ongoing rain and thunderstorms in Hanoi, with warnings for further flooding in low-lying areas. Additionally, up to three more storms are expected before the end of the year, raising concerns over continued disruption.