Natural disasters cost Vietnam 508 billion VND in first half

Illustrative photo (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – A total of 508 billion VND (22.14 million USD) was lost due to natural disasters between January and June this year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The disasters left 34 people dead and missing, and 51 others injured.

Meanwhile, 6,600 cattle and poultry were killed; 47,500 ha of rice and 12,400 ha of vegetables damaged; and 7,938 houses collapsed, and were swept away or flooded.

According to Tran Quang Hoai, General Director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s General Department of Disaster Prevention and Control, Vietnam was hit by 14 storms, a depression, 120 flash floods and landslides, 90 earthquakes, and other types of natural disasters last year, with 357 fatalities and economic losses of 39.96 trillion VND (1.73 billion USD).

Up to seven storms are forecast to hit mainland Vietnam in 2021./.

VNA