'It happened so fast' - Post-typhoon record floods leave trail of destruction in northern Vietnam as aid operations intensify

"Relief efforts intensified in Hanoi's outskirts as several areas remain submerged after floods peaked earlier this week. Footage from Soc Son district filmed on Saturday shows aid teams loading supplies onto boats and rafts to reach affected residents. Streets, infrastructure, and homes across large areas were seen completely underwater. "I've never seen a flood hitting our village, our commune, like this at the moment. Thumping sounds came past my house just right now, it happened so fast [...] It's very dangerous," expressed a local. He also highlighted the challenges facing the region, including damaged crops and water wells rendered unusable due to contamination from factory oil. Authorities, meanwhile, have ramped up flood response to assist locals, with an officer from the Waterway Police Force noting, "As soon as the water recedes, we, officers from the Waterway Police Force's 1st Department, are always on standby to help people clean their houses and overcome the consequences of natural disasters." As of Friday, floodwaters on Hanoi's Cau and Ca Lo rivers stood 1.5 to over 2 meters above alarm level 3, peaking Thursday night. Water levels have begun to recede, but flooding may persist for up to four days due to slow drainage, officials said. Emergency measures, including reservoir gate openings, are underway to reduce flood risks downstream. Heavy rains from Typhoon Matmo have wreaked havoc on Hanoi’s outskirts, leaving at least 18 dead or missing. Local media report that nearly 22,600 hectares of crops were destroyed, hundreds of thousands of livestock were swept away, and around 17,000 homes were flooded."