Pro-longed heavy rains leave at least eight deaths, nine missing

Local authorities and residents work to address the aftermath of the flash flood in Mường Pồn Commune, Điện Biên District in the northern mountainous province of Điện Biên. — VNA/VNS Photo Xuân Tư

HÀ NỘI — Flooding triggered by pro-longed heavy rains from Typhoon Prapiroon between July 22-25 has resulted in significant damage to the northern and central regions and loss of life.

According to initial reports from the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, at least eight people have died, nine are missing and three have been injured.

The northern mountainous province of Sơn La was the hardest hit, with five deaths, four missing persons and one injured due to floods.

The heavy rain and flooding also damaged 389 houses, submerged six primary and preschool sites, caused landslides at 126 traffic points with a volume of about 7.97 cubic metres of soil and rocks.

Over 270 hectares of rice were submerged and more than 3,460 livestock and poultry were swept away.

Flash floods caused by prolonged heavy rains led to two deaths and left five people missing after it wreaked havoc on Mường Pồn Commune, Điện Biên District on the night of Wednesday.

The floods injured two people and caused significant property damage to local residents.

About ten houses were swept away, eight houses collapsed and around a hundred other homes were partly damaged. Many hectares of rice fields were completely destroyed. The total estimated damage is VNĐ3 billion (US$118,530).

Landslides and mud blocked roads, causing traffic congestion on National Highway 12 passing through the Lĩnh Village area in Mường Pồn Commune.

One person died after being swept away by floodwater in Hà Nội’s Đông Xuân Commune, Quốc Oai District. The heavy rain raised river levels, causing waterlogging from 20-50cm on streets in the districts of Long Biên, Cầu Giấy, Thanh Xuân and along the Thăng Long Boulevard.

Additionally, Route 70 passing through Phương Canh, Tây Mỗ, and Đại Mỗ communes in Nam Từ Liêm District experienced prolonged deep flooding. Especially, the Nam An Khánh Urban Area near Thăng Long Boulevard and the internal roads of the Geleximco Lê Trọng Tấn Urban Area were submerged.

In Hòa Bình Province, heavy rain in Hòa Bình City and the districts of Mai Châu, Lương Sơn and Đà Bắc resulted in 213 houses being flooded, submerged more than 517 hectares of rice and caused landslides on several local roads.

Torrential rainfall accompanied by strong winds in Thái Bình Province submerged 1,380 hectares of rice and affected nearly 2,000 hectares of vegetables and other crops. A 15-metre-long, 0.5-metre-wide and 1-metre-high landslide occurred on the left bank of the Hồng Hà II Dyke in Vũ Vân Commune, Vũ Thư District.

Landslides were also reported in Hạ Long City in Quảng Ninh Province, causing five households to be moved to safety. In Cô Tô District, a cement ship at the port and a small speedboat near the pier were sunk.

More than 2,270 hectares of rice was submerged in Bắc Giang Province and many roads in Bắc Giang City also experienced flooding.

In Thanh Hóa Province, landslides were recorded on several roads, with an estimated volume of about 6,350 cubic metres of soil and rocks. Eight houses in the districts of Mường Lát, Quan Sơn and Quan Hóa were partly damaged.

According to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, from the night of July 27 to August 3, the northern region and Thanh Hóa Province will experience scattered showers and thunderstorms, with some areas receiving heavy rainfalls.

Given these conditions, local authorities have implemented the Prime Minister’s Directive on Wednesday on addressing the aftermath of the heavy rains and flooding caused by Typhoon Prapiroon and preparing for heavy rains and landslides.

The Sơn La Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue has set up several working groups to coordinate with local communes to assist affected residents while mobilising forces and equipment to ensure safe transportation. Warning signs were installed in dangerous areas, debris from landslide-prone areas were removed.

To continue addressing the aftermath of natural disasters, the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention suggested that Sơn La Province organise search efforts for missing persons, provide medical treatment for the injured and mobilise forces to support affected residents.

Provinces and cities nationwide should closely monitor forecast information and warnings, and proactively implement measures to deal with heavy rain, tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds, it said.

To ensure proper drainage during the storm, the Hà Nội Drainage One-Member Limited Liability Company opened the gates of lakes such as Thiền Quang, Bảy Mẫu, Tân Mai and Đống Đa, and operated key pumping stations like Yên Sở, Đồng Bông 1, Đồng Bông 2 and Cổ Nhuế to lower water levels in the system. — VNS