Moderate-to heavy rains continue in northern region hinh anh 1Illustrative image (Source: VNA)
Moderate-to-heavy rains continued in the northern region from the evening of July 30 through the morning of July 31 and are forecast to last through August 3.

The northern provinces of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Giang, Bac Can, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai and Phu Tho face high risks of landslides and flash floods.

Low-lying areas in Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Hai Phong, Thai Binh and Nam Dinh are also highly prone to inundation.

As of the morning on July 31, Quang Ninh had 17 dead, 8 injured, nearly 4,000 collapsed houses and thousands of hectares of rice and crops submerged under water. Total economic losses were estimated at almost 1.5 trillion VND (71.4 million USD), 500 billion VND of which was incurred by the coal sector, according to the Office of the National Steering Committee on Disaster Prevention and Control.

At a meeting with the Quang Ninh provincial Steering Committee on Disaster Prevention and Search-and-Rescue on July 31, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Long asked local departments and agencies to direct disaster solutions and make themselves available around the clock.

Dang Huy Hau, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and standing Deputy Head of the provincial Steering Committee on Disaster Prevention and Control, said Quang Ninh has relocated over 100 households living near landslide-prone dumping ground to safer places.

The office of the provincial committee said the prolonged rainfall is the heaviest in 40 years in the locality.

As of July 31, over 140 entities had registered to donate more than 42 billion VND (2 million USD) for post-flood recovery efforts.

Also on July 31, Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan visited and presented gifts to the flood victims in Quang Ninh.

On behalf of the Children’s Protection Fund of Vietnam, Doan donated 200 million VND (9,500 USD) to a provincial foundation in support of flood victims.

The Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group delegation also handed over 100 million VND (4,700 USD) to Quang Ninh authorities.-VNA