The prolonged heavy rain on the afternoon of July 9 caused many sections of National Highway 4A, the main traffic route connecting Lang Son with Cao Bang, to be deeply flooded, causing serious traffic congestion.
Present here, according to the reporter's records at the Cong Trang intersection, Hoang Van Thu commune (Tan My commune, old Van Lang district), the rainwater rose high, overflowing the road surface, turning many streets into rivers.
Motorbikes, cars, and trucks extended and inched, many vehicles stalled in the water. Some people were forced to carry their motorbikes in the rushing water, despite the pouring rain.
At flooded areas, many container trucks and large trucks tried to move, creating waves, making it even more difficult for small vehicles to move.
Along with that, vehicles turned on headlights, moving slowly in the dry rain. Some are stuck at both ends of the flooded area.
Mr. Hoang Van Cuong (a truck driver on the Lang Son - Cao Bang route) said: "I was stuck for nearly an hour at the white Gate intersection, the water was half the wheel. Small vehicles stalled, large vehicles also had to move slowly for fear of sweeping away goods.
People on both sides of the road are also busy covering their houses, raising their goods, and fearing that water will flood into their homes. A trader said: "The rain lasted about half an hour and the water flooded. Business is sluggish, and I am worried about damaged goods.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, in just one hour (from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on July 9), some places in Lang Son recorded heavy rainfall such as Ban Chat 63.4mm, Van Ninh 34.2mm.
In the next 3-6 hours, this area will continue to have rain, with accumulated rainfall ranging from 20 - 50mm, some places over 80mm. The soil moisture is nearly saturated over 85%, posing a potential risk of flash floods and landslides in many communes and wards of the province.
The communes include Chi Lang, Van Linh, Bang Mac, Xuan Duong, Binh Gia, Cai Kinh, Chien Thang, Dinh Lap, Hong Phong, Huu Lien, Huu Lung, Khuat Xa, Kien Moc, Loi Bac, Mau Son, Tan Tri, Tan Van, Tri Le, Van Quan, Vu Le.
The meteorological bulletin warns that flash floods and landslides can cause local traffic congestion, threaten people's lives, destroy civil works, and cause socio-economic damage.
Currently, the authorities are trying to direct traffic and warn vehicles to avoid deep flooding points on National Highway 4A.
Updated at 5:00 p.m. the same day, the rain had stopped, but the amount of water flowing from the road leading to Coc Nam border gate was still quite large. Some vehicles were able to move slowly.
People and drivers are advised to limit travel through flooded areas and proactively update weather information to ensure safety.
