Flash floods destroy 103,000 hectares of rice in central region

The floods, which struck Thursday and receded Friday, disrupted the lives of residents in nine provinces from Quang Binh to Khanh Hoa, according to the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

The province of Thua Thien Hue was the most affected with over 20,000 hectares of rice and 2,300 hectares of vegetable gardens wrecked.

In Quang Nam and Binh Dinh provinces, 16,800 and 15,100 hectares of rice fields were flooded, respectively.

The floods took the lives of two people in Quang Nam and Phu Yen, and the latter province has reported one person missing. At least five people in Thua Thien Hue suffered injuries.

Over 220 boats sank and 2,500 fish cages were destroyed.

The flood waters have been drained out in most localities except for a few communes.

Another downpour in the central region is expected to begin Sunday evening and last until Wednesday. Provinces from Quang Ngai to Binh Dinh could receive rainfall of up to 250 millimeters a day, weather experts have said. Rainfall of 180 mm a day is considered heavy.

More flash floods and landslides can occur, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.