Officers and soldiers in Ha Giang help locals deal with consequences of floods. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The fatalities in serious flooding and landslidecaused by prolonged torrential rains over the past few days in the northernmountainous province of Ha Giang increased to five as of 15:00 on July 21, according to theoffice of the national steering committee for natural disaster prevention andcontrol.
Among the deaths, three in Ha Giang died when their houses wereburied under landslides while two were drown being swept away by floods. Three otherssuffered from injuries in Ha Giang and nearby Cao Bang province.
Floods also damaged 57 houses and inundated 524 others.
Two hydropower plants have to suspend operation and many sections onroads are blocked by landslides. Hundreds of hectares of food crops, forestsand aquaculture were submerged.
Local authorities have immediately mobilized local forces to rescue andmove people in flooded areas to safe places as well as to clear roads.
As more rains are forecast in the next days, northern mountainousprovinces are warned to take urgent measures to respond totorrential rain, flooding, and landslides, thus reducing losses in life andproperty.
Measures include keeping a close watch ondevelopments, preparing search and rescue activities, alerting people inaffected areas, and ensuring the safety of reservoirs and dams.
VNA
