Unrelenting rains force nearly 12,000 students to stay home in Vietnam’s Ha Tinh
Friday, September 20, 2024, 12:44 GMT+7
Some 12,000 students in two districts under Ha Tinh Province, north-central Vietnam were allowed to stay home on Friday as torrential downpours raised water levels in several rivers and flooded many roads there.
Huong Khe District gave a day-off to over 10,800 students at 24 schools, while more than 800 students at kindergartens and elementary schools in Huong Son District stayed home due to inundated streets.
The closure of these schools was aimed at ensuring the safety of students and teachers amid a high risk of severe flooding.
The provincial education and training department issued a directive asking schools to adopt drastic flood control measures and enhance support for students.
Heavy rains have been lashing Ha Tinh Province since a storm, the fourth to hit Vietnam this year, made landfall in central Vietnam on Thursday afternoon, according to the provincial steering committee for natural disaster prevention, search, and rescue.
The prolonged rain raised water levels in the Ngan Sau River, the Ngan Pho River, and the La River, posing a risk of serious floods in riverside and low-lying areas, as well as flash floods and landslides.
In response to the potential floods, Cam Xuyen District evacuated 21 households with 55 people in disaster-prone areas.
Le Ngoc Ha, vice-chairman of the Cam Xuyen People’s Committee, stated that the district administration quickly instructed fishing boat and ship owners to seek shelter after receiving warnings about the fourth storm.
Local authorities are stepping up efforts to protect residents and their assets from potential severe flooding and landslides.
Other districts, including Huong Khe and Thach Ha, are employing flood prevention measures, including evacuating people who live in risky areas.
Heavy rains and strong winds destroyed 14 houses in Ky Anh District and damaged nearly 40 homes and facilities in Cam Xuyen District.
In Cam Xuyen, the disaster also knocked down 10 power poles and hundreds of trees.
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