Within a day of the worst flooding, on July 21, the local authorities and ethnic groups worked together to overcome difficulties to stabilise their lives and get production back on track. The floods caused widespread damage, but through sheer determination and the strength of human spirit the people in Van Ban district are persevering through disaster.
Floods have caused damage in Vo Lao commune, known as the rare granary of Lao Cai province, with fields covering hundreds of hectares, providing thousands of tonnes of rice per year to the province. According to the chairman of Vo Lao commune Luong Van Diep, ten out of 29 villages have been deeply inundated; while over 50 ha of rice, corn and sweet potatoes for export to Japan have been damaged.
Downpours and floods in recent days have caused serious damage to nine villages of Van Son commune in Lao Cai province. Three houses have collapsed, while more than 22 ha of rice have been submerged. Inter-village routes have also been left blocked by water and debris.
Flooding has destroyed the only bridge connecting the centre of Nam Tha commune
