Heavy rains, thunderstorms and whirlwinds from May 15-17 caused widespread damage in several localities across Vietnam, with total losses estimated at more than VND10.2 billion (US$387,000).
The figure includes losses of VND6.7 billion in Cao Bang Province and VND3.5 billion in Dak Lak Province, while Quang Ninh and Thanh Hoa provinces have yet to report estimated damage, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA).In the central province of Dak Lak, severe weather injured one person after a tree fell on the victim, collapsed one house, and damaged or blew off roofs of 26 others. Five electricity poles and one transformer station were also damaged.
Landslides block roads in Cao Bang Province on May 17, 2026, following heavy rains across northern Vietnam. Photo by the Cao Bang Military Command
The northern mountainous province of Cao Bang recorded widespread flooding and infrastructure damage. A total of 187 houses were inundated, though floodwaters have now receded. Heavy rains also damaged more than 251 ha of rice and crops, flooded one school site, and buried 200 m of irrigation canals.In addition, 28 landslide sites were reported along National Highway 4A, while seven rural road sections were damaged by landslides. One passenger bus was also damaged after being swept away by floodwaters.In the north central province of Thanh Hoa, thunderstorms snapped anchor lines, causing two boats to sink. The vessels were later salvaged and moved closer to shore.In neighboring Ha Tinh Province, lightning struck a herd of free-range cattle in Truong Luu Commune on May 18, killing five cows and causing losses of around VND100 million for local households.Authorities warned residents not to leave livestock outdoors overnight during severe weather and urged them to closely monitor forecasts and move animals to safe shelters during storms.Elsewhere, heavy rains and thunderstorms flooded more than 168 ha of rice and cash crops in Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa and Dak Lak. Several houses in Quang Ninh were inundated, though floodwaters have since receded.
