As of this morning at least 22 people were dead and 27 others were injured in the flashfloods and landslides caused by torrential rains in several northern provinces over the past few days, the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control reported.
>> Flashflood, rockslide kill 3, cause $1 mil loss in Lai Chau
The casualties occurred in Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Thai Nguyen, and Ha Giang Provinces, where heavy rains have caused flashfloods and landslides resulting in serious damage to both life and property. Two people also remain missing in Lao Cai and Vinh Phuc. Rainfall totals reached 154 millimeters in Lao Cai, 165 mm in Tuyen Quang, 234 mm in Lang Son, 172 mm in Phu Tho, 213 mm in Thai Nguyen, 215 mm in Vinh Phuc, and 175 mm in Ha Giang. Sa Pa District in Lao Cai Province has suffered the most, with at least 10 people dead, 11 others injured, and one more missing from the fierce flashfloods of September 4. The province had been hit by heavy rains for days beforehand, leaving rivers and streams in many areas dangerously swollen, authorities reported. In Lai Chau, a deadly flashflood followed by rockslides occurred in a district of northern Lai Chau province on Wednesday, killing three people, including a pregnant woman, Pham Thi Thu, 26, a teacher at a primary school in Sin Chai village. The woman was found buried in the debris of her house, which had collapsed during a rockslide. She was taken to a local hospital, but she later succumbed to her severe injuries.
The flashfloods and landslides also destroyed hundreds of hectares of rice and other crops, swept away and killed livestock, destroyed numerous houses, and flooded or damaged many roads. Total damage caused by the disaster by yesterday evening was estimated at more than VND21 billion (over $990,000).
Local authorities have evacuated dozens of families in dangerous areas to safe places. The other deaths include three in Thai Nguyen, two each in Dien Bien and Lang Son, and one each in Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang. Thirty seven houses have collapsed or been swept away, while 27 others have been damaged. A total of 1,725 hectares of crops were submerged and damaged, and numerous roads in many provinces were damaged.
According to the provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control, northern provinces and north-central provinces will continue to experience medium to heavy rains, possibly with thunderstorms and vortexes, for a few days to come. Flashfloods and landslides may continue to occur in mountainous areas.PM calls for extra effort Yesterday the Prime Minister sent an urgent message to authorities in the mountainous northern provinces asking them to closely follow the dangerous weather patterns and take measures to protect people living in areas prone to flooding or landslides. He also urged them to plan to evacuate people in case of emergency. All concerned agencies must inspect hydropower reservoirs, dykes, construction sites, and key traffic infrastructure to ensure they can survive adverse weather conditions. They are also required to schedule for their staff to work around clock and prepare necessary facilities to cope with any dangers, according to the message. Officials in the affected provinces should strive to repair damaged infrastructure, restore traffic patterns, search for missing people, support families of dead victims, and help local residents repair their houses and resume normal life as soon as possible. The National Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Center must follow the weather conditions closely and release information or warnings in time, while the National Committee for Search and Rescue must be well prepared for response to emergencies.
Mass media, meanwhile, are required to provide timely information related to weather developments and disasters.