Incessant rains take heavy toll on localities nationwide

Localities across Vietnam have been hit hard by days of downpours which caused heavy losses of lives and property.

The northern province of Hoa Binh recorded rainfalls of between 188 and 399 milimetres from September 16 to early September 18, causing flood that swept away three people, inundated about 60 houses and triggered landslides on many roads, dykes and embankments, according to the provincial sub-department for flood and storm prevention and search and rescue.

More than 7,000 hectares of rice and other crop plants were submerged while floodwater also carried away thousands of poultry, livestock and farmed fish, the agency added.

Phu Tho, another northern province, also suffered from torrential rains over the past few days. Notably, three residents sustained injuries due to deluge and lightning, and 40 houses were flooded.

While 735 hectares of rice and crop plants lay under water, more than 220 hectares of aquacultural areas were damaged, and landslides occurred along 800 metres of roads and canals.

In the central province of Thanh Hoa, deluge set off by heavy rains from September 14 to 19 killed two people and flooded more than 1,870 houses.

Over 5,440 hectares of rice and 2,166 hectares of other crops were waterlogged. While a number of roads were blocked, Thanh Lam commune villages and Quan Son township were cut off. Offices, health centres and schools in Tinh Gia district have been temporarily closed.

The provincial steering board for flood and storm prevention estimated total damage of up to 198 billion VND (8.7 million USD).

In the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap, rainstorms flattened more than 3,000 hectares of rice ready for harvest in three districts, causing an estimated yield reduction of 10-20 percent.

About 10,000 hectares of rice ready for harvest in nearby An Giang province are also under water.

Authorities of the provinces have immediately sent forces to deal with flood consequences.-VNA