Typhoon Mirinae, later downgraded into a low pressure, has killed at least 107 eople in the central region and Central Highlands.

And the devastation continues as heavy rains keep battering the region, causing more flooding of farmland and housing.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Nov. 4 asked authorities and People’s Committees to intensify efforts to help people recover from the storm.

According to the Central Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control, the storm has destroyed 15,000 houses and inundated about 3,000 ha of rice and more than 5,000 ha of subsidiary crops.

Hundreds of fish and shrimp-raising ponds have also been flooded, causing great losses. More than 300 boats are reported to have sunk in heavy seas.
Traffic, electricity and communications systems in many areas have been disrupted, making it difficult to carry out relief and rescue works.

PM Dung asked the chairmen of People’s Committees in Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Gia Lai to mobilise all their forces to rescue people trapped by floodwaters and supply food and medical supplies.

He said that when the flooding subsided, provincial People’s Committees should entrust relevant officials and workers to repair and rebuild infrastructure and houses as well as supply the breeds and seeds needed for farmers to recover agricultural production.

The PM also ordered the ministries of National Defence and Public Security and the Central Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control to assist in the rescue work.

The ministries of Finance, Planning, and Investment and Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in cooperation with localities have been told to assess the losses and put forward specific financial support programmes.

The Vietnam Red Cross on Nov. 4 started its emergency relief programme by sending teams to provide 600 family tool boxes, instant noodle and drinking water and cash to families affected by the storm in Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan provinces. According to the National Centre for Hydro Meteorological Forecasting, heavy rains keep battering central and Central Highland provinces.

And water levels in rivers keep rising, causing more flooding, leading the centre to warn of a high risk of landslides and flash flooding./.