For the people of northern Vietnam, the second week of October 2025 will be remembered for the devastation left behind by Typhoon Matmo, which brought record-breaking rainfall and catastrophic flooding to a region already battered by a relentless series of storms. From October 7 to 8, the remnants of Typhoon Matmo unleashed up to 500 millimeters (19.7 inches) of rain, swelling rivers beyond historic levels and submerging entire communities across several provinces, according to The Watchers and Vietnamese state media.
Authorities reported that at least eight people lost their lives as the waters surged. The casualties included three victims of landslides in Cao Bang and Thanh Hoa provinces, four who drowned after being swept away by floodwaters in Thai Nguyen and Thanh Hoa, and one person struck by lightning in Bac Ninh, as detailed by the Associated Press. The search continued for five missing individuals, with fears mounting as rescue teams navigated dangerous, debris-choked waters.
The scale of destruction was staggering. More than 15,700 houses were damaged or inundated, and over 14,600 hectares (36,080 acres) of crops were ruined by the floods, according to the latest figures compiled by The Watchers. Livestock losses were severe: 530 cattle and a staggering 96,000 poultry perished. The infrastructure fared no better, with over 600 transportation routes rendered impassable by landslides or washed-out bridges. The Bac Khe 1 hydropower dam in Lang Son province partially failed on October 7, flooding downstream villages and causing losses estimated at $1.9 million.
In Thai Nguyen, just north of Hanoi, the swollen Cau River became a symbol of the disaster. Residents recounted how water rushed in so quickly that they had no time to save belongings or move furniture. Entire neighborhoods were cut off, prompting authorities to deploy rescue boats and helicopters. The Ministry of National Defense mobilized 30,000 soldiers, thousands of boats, and three helicopters, which dropped more than four tonnes of food and emergency supplies to isolated communities in Lang Son and Cao Bang, reported The Watchers.
The flooding was not confined to a single river or province. Water levels on the Bang, Thuong, Trung, and Cau rivers all exceeded records set in 1986 and 2024. At Gia Bay station in Thai Nguyen, the Cau River peaked at 29.9 meters (98.1 feet) on October 8—1.09 meters (3.6 feet) higher than the previous record set during Typhoon Yagi in 2024. The Thuong River in Lang Son reached 24.31 meters (79.8 feet), surpassing its historical high by 1.77 meters (5.8 feet). The Trung River was forecast to peak nearly two meters above its 1986 record, illustrating the unprecedented nature of the event.
The Vietnam National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) explained that the heaviest rainfall occurred between the evening of October 7 and the early hours of October 8, as Typhoon Matmo’s remnants interacted with the northeast monsoon and the region’s complex topography. Moisture-laden air from the Gulf of Tonkin fueled intense orographic precipitation that lasted more than 24 hours, overwhelming river systems and flood defenses. The Watchers noted that this was the most extensive flooding since 1986, with the hydrological systems of four major rivers peaking simultaneously—a rare and alarming occurrence.
Typhoon Matmo, locally known as Typhoon Paolo, was the 21st named storm of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season. It formed north-northeast of Yap on October 1 and reached Category 2-equivalent intensity with winds of 165 km/h (105 mph). Making landfall in China’s Guangdong Province on October 5, Matmo weakened as it crossed Guangxi and entered northern Vietnam. Yet, despite its diminished core, the storm’s broad circulation carried vast amounts of moisture, setting the stage for the disaster that followed.
Vietnam had already endured a punishing typhoon season. Since August, the region had been struck by storms including Kajiki, Ragasa, and Bualoi. In fact, the area hit hardest by Matmo’s floods had already battled four other typhoons or tropical storms since September, compounding the damage and exhausting local resources.
The Vietnamese government responded with urgency. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh approved an emergency aid package worth 140 billion VND (about $5.3 million) to support affected provinces, as reported by state media. Rescue and recovery efforts were hampered by the sheer scale of the disaster, but military and emergency personnel worked around the clock to evacuate families, deliver supplies, and restore critical infrastructure.
For many, the psychological toll was as heavy as the physical losses. Residents described the speed and ferocity of the flooding as unlike anything they had seen before. In the words of one local, “The water came so fast, we could not do anything but watch.” Some neighborhoods in Thai Nguyen were so isolated that helicopters had to drop food and water to stranded families.
While rainfall eased by October 8, flood alerts remained in effect for low-lying areas, with authorities warning that waters could take days to recede. The risk of further landslides and disease outbreaks loomed large, especially in rural communities where access to clean water and medical care was disrupted.
Experts say that the frequency and intensity of tropical storms affecting Vietnam is rising. Benjamin Horton, dean of the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong, told the Associated Press, “The frequency of intense, back-to-back typhoons is increasing, suggesting a shift driven by climate change.” Warmer ocean temperatures in 2025 likely contributed to the storm’s exceptional rainfall, as warmer seas provide more energy for storms, making them stronger and wetter. This trend is consistent with observations across East Asia, where shifting precipitation patterns and more intense storms are becoming the new normal.
Vietnam typically experiences 10 to 13 tropical cyclones each year, but the back-to-back onslaught of powerful storms in 2025 has tested the country’s resilience. The government and local communities have responded with determination, but the scale of destruction from Typhoon Matmo serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability.
As the floodwaters slowly recede, the people of northern Vietnam face the daunting task of rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and preparing for whatever nature brings next. For now, the scars left by Typhoon Matmo are a vivid testament to the power of weather—and the urgent need for adaptation in a changing climate.