Devastating flood ravages central provinces

Hanoi (VNA) – Torrential rains persisting from October 14 have devastated the central provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue, causing heavy losses in both human and property.

In Nghe An, flood water swept away a 13-year-old student in Nam Dan district on October 15, while blocking many important transportation routes and kept thousands of school students in Vinh city and Hung Nguyen district home.

As many as 815 hectares of rice and over 5,200 hectares of crop have been submerged in flood.

Local authorities have been keeping a close eye on areas with high risk of landslide and are ready for search and rescue as well as evacuation of locals if necessary.

In Ha Tinh province reported one death of a 26-year-old local in Can Loc district.

Rising water levels in Ngan Sau and Ngan Pho rivers and flood from hydropower reservoirs caused high risk of sweeping flood and landslide in many districts, including Huong Khe, Huong Son, Vu Quang, Thach Ha, Cam Xuyen, Ky Anh and Ha Tinh city. Natural disaster alert level 2-3 was issued.

The flood has also isolated two communes of Ky Thuong and Ky Lac in Ky Anh district, while more than 1,000 houses across the province were inundated.

Meanwhile in Quang Binh, two deaths were reported, together with eight injured and five missing.

Sudden flood in Roon river in Quang Trach district plunged at least six fishing boats, while sweeping away three and leaving nine others aground and one vessel missing. Rescue forces are working hard to help local fishermen savage their boats.

As of October 15, 26,920 houses have been flooded, while 56 others were uproofed, and a large area of crop was destroyed, mostly in Ba Don, Minh Hoa, and Quang Trach districts.

Evacuation is being stepped up, while local authorities have made efforts to ensure safety for locals and their property.

At the same time, the Quang Binh Railway Company in Quang Binh is working hard to repair sections of the North-South railway which led to the suspension of many trains from October 14. Over 350 people have been joining the efforts.

As of October 14, devastating flood also caused blew away 87 houses in Thua Thien– Hue province and left 2,000 hectares of cassava under the water and destroyed 26 hectares of vegetable.

Authorities in Quang Tri province reported that 180 houses roofs were blown off and five dishing boats wrecked because of strong winds. Large plots of rubber and black pepper were devastated.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorology Forecasting, heavy rains will continue hitting central provinces until October 17.-VNA