VietNamNet Bridge – Prolonged rains in the central region has caused serious flooding, which had killed at least nine people and isolated hundreds of villages.

VietNamNet Bridge – Prolonged rains in the central region has caused serious flooding, which had killed at least nine people and isolated hundreds of villages.

In Nghe An province, the downpour started on September 29 and has not stopped yet. At least three people have died and two are missing in the flood.

Heavy rain and whirlwinds has damaged more than 60 houses and flooded National Highway 48. Hundreds of hectares of crops have been submerged.

In the early morning hours of October 3, a boat carrying 850 tons of cement sank in Cua Lo. Eight sailors were rescued.

In Ha Tinh province, more than 5,000 households in Huong Khe and Vu Quang districts in Ha Tinh province have been submerged due to the recent heavy rains.

Floods swept away 7 people and injured one, including 1 soldier, 5 people in Huong Khe and 2 people in Huong Son district. A boat sank on October 3 and six sailors were rescued.

On October 3, the Ha Tinh provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control directed localities to evacuate people from the flooded areas. The provincial Military Headquarters and Border Guard Headquarters sent 200 soldiers to help evacuate around 4,000 households.

By 9am on October 3, the flood water had overflowed the Ho Ho hydroelectric dam by 0.4m and swept away 1 generator and destroyed another. The province had to mobilise 100 people to deal with the problem.

Bui Le Bac, chief of the provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control, maintained that the province was using machinery and all resources available to clear the front of the dam in order to prevent water from overflowing. They also continued to evacuate residents from dangerous areas.

By the afternoon of October 4, 16 communes were isolated by the floods. The water level at Ho Ho reservoir was 1m over the peak and could crest at anytime. Over 2,000 households have been evacuated.

In Quang Binh province, the water level of Gianh River is very high, flooding nearly 4,000 households. Many roads have been damaged and flooded. Two mountain districts of Tuyen Hoa and Minh Hoa are also isolated.

In Quang Tri province, Thach Han and O Lau-Thac Ma Rivers have overflowed their banks. More than 2,000 families in Hai Lang district are isolated because of the floods, which has killed one child.

Many areas in Thua Thien-Hue city, including Hue city, are flooded.

Experts said that the central region will suffer more rain today, October 4.

PV