Rising water of Hong (Red) River inundates gardens in Lao Cai City (Photo: VNA)Lao Cai (VNA) -Torrential rain and heavy floods over the weekend have caused almost damageworth almost a half million USD to northern mountainous provinces.
Between 100 and 250mm rainfell in Lao Cai from July 2-4 damaging 16 houses and flooding 33.4haof farm land in Bat Xat district, according to local authorities.
The heaviest downpour wasrecorded in Bat Xat district with a capacity of 243.2mm.
Key roads in Coc My and TrinhTuong communes and provincial road 156B suffered from landslides, causingtraffic congestion.
The losses the districtsuffered were estimated to reach more than 10 billion VND (435,000 USD).
Lao Cai city had 12 housesdamaged and a concrete bridge in Cam Duong commune collapsed.
A dam in Bao Thang districtwith a capacity of 60,000cu.m was eroded. Local authorities mobilised forces toreinforce the dam to ensure its safety.
As of 4pm on July 4, waterretrieved on provincial roads No 156 and 156B. Traffic has been back to normal.
A local man in Phong Tho district,Lai Chau province died after falling into the Nam Cum river. His body was foundmore than 20km away.
The National Steering Committeefor Natural Disaster Prevention and Control on July 5 sent a dispatch onresponding to rain and flood consequences to northern mountainous provinces andrelevant ministries.
According to the dispatch,since late June, northern mountainous provinces have suffered from heavydownpours, resulting in flash floods, landslides, human and property losses,especially in Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Lai Chau and Son La provinces.
The natural disasters causeddamages to transport, irrigation works, affecting the production andlivelihoods of local people.
Heavy rain, flash floods andlandslides are forecast to continue in those areas.
The National Steering Committeeon Natural Disaster Prevention and Control asked local committees tocontinue taking measures to prevent flash floods, landslides in order to minismisehuman and property losses.
Local committees have beenurged to review areas prone to high risks of floods and landslides, especiallylocations near rivers, streams, downstream of reservoirs and lowland areas andrelocate residents to safer zones.
They have also been asked toinspect the safety of dams, reservoirs under construction, ensure the safety ofmining areas and crackdown on illegal mineral exploitation which might causemine collapse and landslides./.
VNA
