Central localities deal with unseasonal torrential rains

On Saturday, authorised agencies salvage boats sunk during heavy rains in Nhơn Lý Commune, Quy Nhơn City.— VNA/VnExpress News Photo Phạm Kha

HÀ NỘI — Central provinces have quickly remedied the consequences of unseasonal torrential rains, which have been hitting the central provinces from Quảng Bình to Khánh Hòa over the last four days.

In Bình Định Province, the People’s Committee of Quy Nhơn City, together with relevant agencies, salvaged fishing boats that sank during heavy rains in Nhơn Lý Commune, Quy Nhơn, on Saturday.

As of Saturday morning, there were still 27 boats sunk to the bottom of Nhơn Lý sea. The forces mobilised divers and equipment to salvage the vessels.

On Friday morning, 55 boats sunk. The initial damage was estimated at VNĐ3.2 billion (US$140,000).

In Quảng Ngãi Province, the provincial Border Guard Command on Saturday morning promptly warned 687 ships with 6,773 workers operating in the waters of strong sea winds, calling on vessels to find safe anchorage.

In Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, where there is more than 15,000ha of rice flooded, Lê Văn Anh, head of the provincial Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection, said the department had instructed farmers to drain water in the rice fields quickly.

It is important not to let the rice fields be soaked in water for many days to limit sprouting and disease-causing fungi.

He said it was necessary to spray more potassium fertiliser after draining the water so that the rice could quickly recover.

Damage

The heavy rains caused two deaths, with one person missing at sea and four people injured in the central provinces, according to a Việt Nam Disaster Management Authority briefing issued on Saturday morning.

It said that the heavy rains also caused two houses to collapse in Phú Yên Province, and 38 other dwellings were damaged in three provinces of Quảng Trị, Thừa Thiên-Huế and Phú Yên.

Due to the heavy rains, 261 small ships and boats sank; 2,480 lobster cages were damaged, and six sections of roads were blocked due to landslides triggered by the heavy rains.

It is estimated that 54,430ha of rice and 7,41ha of crops flooded.

Provinces from Quảng Trị to Quảng Ngãi were expected to experience rains with rainfall of 50-100mm, and even over 150mm in some areas on Saturday day and night.

During the showers with thunderstorms, there will be a possibility of tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds.

The rainfall will be less than the last three days.

Previously, the provinces from Quảng Trị to Quảng Ngãi were hit rainfall of 200-500mm while the provinces from Bình Định to Khánh Hòa và Quảng Bình were hit with 150-300m. — VnExpress News