Ha Giang (VNA) - Prolonged torrential rain overnighton July 20-21 caused flooding in a number of localities in the northernmountainous province of Ha Giang, killing two and injuring one, according tothe Ha Giang Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.
Ly Gia Tin, 44, and his daughter Ly Thi On, 15, both fromCoc Nam village in Ban Nhung commune, Hoang Su Phi district, were killed, whileDang Van Dai from Tung San commune in Hoang Su Phi was injured.
Hundreds of houses in Ha Giang city and otherlocalities are submerged in floodwaters, with some sites up to 1.2 m underwater.
Floodwaters also damaged major roads in the province whileinundating crops in Ha Giang city and Hoang Su Phi district. Landslides alsocaused traffic congestion along a five-kilometre stretch of National Highway No2 from Ha Giang to Hanoi.
Local authorities are directing the rescue and evacuationof local people in at-risk areas and the clearing of the roads.
The National Steering Committee for National DisasterPrevention and Control sent a dispatch on July 21 asking the committee innorthern mountainous provinces as well as relevant agencies to apply a numberof urgent measures to respond to torrential rain, flooding, and landslides,thus reducing losses in life and property.
Measures include keeping a close watch on developments,preparing search and rescue activities, alerting people in affected areas, andensuring the safety of reservoirs and dams./.