The number of people killed by heavy downpours and subsequent flooding in central Vietnam has reached 13, and could rise after expected torrential rains return to the region this weekend.
As of 5:00 pm on Wednesday, the death toll caused by the extreme weather conditions in central provinces topped 13, according to the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention.
South-central Binh Dinh Province recorded the highest casualty, with five residents killed, followed by central Quang Nam Province with four victims, the committee added.
One person is currently missing in the south-central province of Quang Ngai.
Heavy rain first hit the central region on Saturday and lingered until Tuesday.
Rainfall in some areas exceeded 1,000 millimeters, triggering massive floods.
More downpours are forecast to hit localities between north-central Quang Binh Province and south-central Khanh Hoa Province from Thursday to Sunday due to an enhanced cold spell, the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting reported.
Average rainfall is expected at 150 to 250 millimeters.
The volume of rainwater, however, may reach up to 500 millimeters in provinces from Quang Tri to Phu Yen.
The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention has asked competent authorities in the affected provinces to promptly deal with the aftermath of the storm.
Authorities are also expected to closely monitor local weather conditions to prepare for such disasters as inundation, flash flooding, and landslides over the next few days.
Authorities should also be ready to evacuate residents in at-risk areas, the committee stated.
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