October 17, 2025Oct 17 Photo courtesy of VN Express Northern Vietnam has been urged to shift from flood resistance to adaptation in response to increasingly extreme rainfall and flooding. Dr. Luong Huu Dung, a prominent hydrologist, emphasized the necessity of living with floods during an exclusive interview. The comments come as Typhoon Matmo, which weakened into a tropical depression, triggered severe flooding across the north earlier this month. The flooding from October 6 to 8 was unusual, as severe floods in this region generally occur in August or early September. Meteorological agencies recorded 20 significant rainfall episodes in provinces like Tuyen Quang and Thai Nguyen. Thai Nguyen, for instance, received 491 mm of rain on October 7, breaking previous records. Dr. Dung noted this year marked the second consecutive year of such extreme flooding, highlighting the urgent need for strategy adaptations. The historic October 2025 flooding resulted from Typhoon Matmo’s interaction with a wind convergence zone, creating intense rainfall over lowland areas with limited drainage capacity. Provinces such as Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Bac Ninh faced significant flooding due to their geographical and infrastructural vulnerabilities. Despite the cessation of rains, many communities remain inundated because of water flowing from upstream regions. Dr. Dung advocates for a mindset shift in flood management, emphasizing adaptation and proactive coexistence with floods. He suggests moving beyond traditional flood defenses, like higher dikes, as these are often outstripped by modern rainfall levels. Adoption of sustainable methods, such as maintaining rivers and improving urban drainage, is crucial. Looking ahead, a dual approach combining structural and non-structural measures is recommended. Proposed solutions include reinforcing dike systems, dredging rivers, and expanding urban drainage. Non-structural measures involve afforestation, strategic land use planning, preserving natural drainage, and improving forecasting systems. Using technology to enhance flood management and create resilient communities is essential in managing future climatic challenges. Key Takeaways Northern Vietnam faces extreme flooding, emphasizing adaptation over resistance. Typhoon Matmo caused unprecedented rainfall, breaking long-standing records. Sustainable flood management strategies and improved forecasting are critical. Related Stories Flooding Affects 15 Thai Provinces, Central Plain Hit Hard HCMC Plans Massive Underground Reservoir to Address Flooding Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-10-17
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