(Agencies): Continuous heavy rains triggered after Super Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Vietnam triggered flash floods, river overflows, and landslides across various areas in northern Thailand from September 7 to 11.
“The flood water level has been rising all the time since Monday. The cathedral is flooded up to the altar. [The bishop’s] two-story residence is uninhabitable, even on the second floor. We have no more electricity now,” Bishop Joseph Vuthilert Haelom of Chiang Rai, said LiCAS News reported.
Residents of single-story houses were seen stranded on their roofs. Elderly individuals, unable to climb to the rooftops, perched atop the highest cabinets inside their flooded homes.
Meanwhile, donations of cash and goods from Thailand’s 10 other dioceses began pouring in to support the Diocese of Chiang Rai in its urgent rescue mission.
All hill tribe children under the care of the diocese have been evacuated to higher ground in other parts of Chiang Rai province. The flood water in some areas reached more than three metres deep.
The flood water level has been rising all the time since Monday. The cathedral is flooded up to the altar. [The bishop’s] two-story residence is uninhabitable, even on the second floor. We have no more electricity now
Bishop Joseph Vuthilert Haelom
“I had very little sleep last night, going out trying to help our parishioners stranded in their homes. This is the biggest flood I have ever seen in my life. I have never experienced such a critical situation before,” the bishop said on September 11.
Meanwhile, parishioners, led by Father Bancha Apichartvorakul, waded through the fast-flowing floodwaters to continuously deliver food, water, and essential supplies to the flood victims.
“Many more are still waiting for our help,” the priest said. “They have also posted messages showing serious flooding in their area, asking for help.”
Thai prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was slated to make an urgent visit to the flood-ravaged province on September 13 and ordered government agencies to expedite relief efforts for affected residents, according to the Pattaya Mail.
Meanwhile, UCAN reported that more than a hundred people were listed as missing in Phu Tho province where heavy rain collapsed the Phong Chau Bridge over the Red River.
“Caritas workers are distributing instant noodles, milk, rice, and clean water to victims in the diocese,” said Father Anthony Vu Thai San, director of Caritas in Diocese of Hung Hoa, adding that accessing some areas has been difficult due to inundated roads. Lack of electricity, water, and communication systems has exacerbated the difficulties.
Hanoi, Hai Phong, and 13 northern provinces were severely hit and 188,125 homes and 250,000 hectares of crops were damaged.
Caritas workers are distributing instant noodles, milk, rice, and clean water to victims in the diocese
Father Anthony Vu
Teresa Do Thi Lien, one of eight Catholic volunteers from Vinh City, said they used three trucks to deliver emergency relief supplies to victims in Tran Yen district in Yen Bai province.
While relief supplies may not be enough for everyone, “it is a gesture of solidarity with our brothers and sisters,” she said.
The Archdiocese of Hanoi and the dioceses of Bac Ninh, Lang Son Cao Bang, and Hai Phong have asked people to support the victims.
Father Peter Sanen Nguyen Van Hieu, head of Caritas in Hai Phong, said fishermen, farmers, those who have lost their homes, and people with HIV will face significant challenges in the coming months.
“We plan to provide financial assistance to help them rebuild their lives,” he said.
Bishop Joseph Chau Ngoc Tri of Lang Son Cao Bang, said the local Church was mobilising benefactors to help ethnic students in remote areas, UCAN reported.
Vietnam recorded 233 deaths by September 13 due to landslides and floods in the first eight months of 2024, which caused damage to properties totaling 2,000 trillion dong [US$80 million].
Following the Angelus on September 15, Pope Francis expressed his closeness to the people of Vietnam and Myanmar who are suffering the effects of Super Typhoon Yagi, according to Vatican News.
