Cao Bang is reeling from back-to-back storms that triggered the worst floods in nearly 40 years, leaving widespread destruction and despair.

Two consecutive typhoons in just 10 days plunged Cao Bang into the worst flooding in nearly four decades. As the waters recede, they leave behind devastation and deep uncertainty for residents of this already poor province.

Record-breaking floods drown the mountainous province

Cao Bang, a remote mountainous province with limited resources, was first battered by Typhoon No. 10 at the end of September. The storm left six dead and damaged over 5,700 homes.

Before local authorities and residents could recover, Typhoon No. 11 (Matmo) struck again, compounding the destruction with a second, even more severe round of flooding.

At its peak, floodwaters in the Bang Giang River shattered historical records set in 1986, reaching a height of 185.79 meters and submerging large parts of the provincial capital.

"The water rose so fast we were helpless," one resident said. "We moved everything to the attic - over four meters high - but the water still reached five meters and destroyed it all."

'Everything gone overnight'

In the days after the floods, Cao Bang's center resembled a nightmare scene. Mud covered streets, garbage was strewn everywhere, and the stench was overwhelming.

In Thuc Phan Ward, the province's most bustling area, desolation reigned. Motorbikes and cars were half-buried in mud. Goods in markets and stores were soaked and ruined.

Many families lost everything in a single night. Luong Thi Thanh, a resident of Hop Giang 7 in Thuc Phan Ward, shared that her home was submerged to the roof twice in one week, destroying assets worth over USD 20,000.

For local businesses, the losses were even more severe. Nguyen Thi Huong, Director of Truong An Cooperative, said five hectares of high-tech greenhouse farms were completely flattened. Damages were estimated at over USD 80,000.

"Seeing everything destroyed - mud everywhere, our workers' efforts gone - it's overwhelming. We don't even know how to start again," Huong said.

Initial statistics show that the "flood on flood" from Typhoon No. 11 caused one death, two injuries, and damaged or submerged over 7,500 homes. Around 5,000 hectares of crops were destroyed. The total damage for the province is estimated at over USD 80 million.

Mobilizing all forces to clean up and rebuild

As the waters began to recede, Cao Bang mobilized its entire political system and communities to begin recovery efforts. Hundreds of officials, soldiers, youth union members, and sanitation workers spread out across streets to clear debris, shovel mud, and unclog drainage systems.

In Thuc Phan Ward, a mass environmental cleanup campaign was launched, reflecting the spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility in helping residents restore their lives. Disinfection teams also began spraying to prevent post-flood disease outbreaks.

In a report to the Prime Minister, the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee requested emergency support of 1,200 tons of rice for households that lost crops and suffered severe damage. They also requested approximately USD 40 million to restore production and repair key infrastructure.

After the flood: Cao Bang races to rebuild shattered lives