Flood in central region (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) –Seven more locals went missing in the central province of Phu Yen due to floods caused by heavy rains over the past few days, raising the number of missing victims in the region to eight, according to initial reports.
Quang Binh province reported three deaths, while two other deaths were in Quang Tri province.
According to Quang Binh authorities, total material losses from destroyed and damaged houses, rice fields and infrastructure works in the province were estimated at 55 billion VND.
The rains came on the heels of historic flooding just last month in the region, with Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue being the hardest hit.
Rains have also spread to the Central Highlands, pushing water levels in regional rivers up.
More downpours are forecasted for the central region from Quang Ngai southwards to Binh Thuan, with rainfalls ranging from 50mm to 200mm. Warnings have been issued for floods and flash floods on rivers, landslides in mountainous areas and inundation in low-lying areas.
Meanwhile, a tropical low pressure area has formed in the East Sea, and is expected to be at 8.9 degrees north latitude and 110.7 degrees east longitude, about 260km to the southeast of Phu Quy Island (Binh Thuan province). Due to its impact, strong winds and rains along with rough sea is forecasted for waters around Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago.
The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Fight and the National Committee on Search and Rescue sent an official dispatch to their affiliations in coastal cities and provinces from Binh Dinh downwards to Kien Giang, and to related ministries and agencies urging close monitoring of the low pressure’s movement and take preventive measures.-VNA
