Floods wash away roads and houses in Muong La district of Son La province (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hasordered authorities of northern mountainous provinces along with relevantagencies and ministries to augment efforts in response to torrential rains andfloods wreaking havoc in the region over the last few days.
Widespread heavy rains have been reported acrossmountainous and midland provinces in northern Vietnam. Flash floods andlandslides in some areas caused heavy human and property losses, especially inMuong La district of Son La province and Mu Cang Chai district of Yen Baiprovince.
In his written order, the PM requestedprovincial People’s Committees, particularly of Yen Bai and Son La, to continuecapitalising on local forces to search for missing people and address floodconsequences, evacuate residents from flood- and landslide-prone areas, andensure food supply for locals.
The National Committee for Search and Rescue,the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Security were told to deploytheir local forces to assist search and rescue activities and help localitiesovercome flood consequences.
While the Transport Ministry has to support theprovinces to ensure traffic safety in areas with landslides, the HealthMinistry must direct grassroots medical staff to provide free healthcareexamination and treatment for the injured and help local residents ensurepost-flood environmental hygiene.
The centre for hydro-meteorological forecasting,directed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, must continuekeeping a close watch on rain and flood developments to issue timely forecastsand warnings.
The Central Steering Committee for NaturalDisaster Prevention and Control was also asked to work with the Ministry ofPlanning and Investment, the Finance Ministry and relevant sides to report onflood consequences to the PM to consider assistance.
[Costs of road repair due to floods amount to 244 billion VND]
As of the end of August 3, heavy rains andfloods had killed nine people, injured 12 others and made 24 missing in LaiChau, Dien Bien, Yen Bai, Son La and Cao Bang provinces.
As many as 196 houses were washed away orcollapsed, including 29 in Yen Bai and 167 in Son La.
Meanwhile, over 13,640 cubic metres of earth androck were eroded on national highways in the northern provinces. Floods alsowashed away 3km of provincial road No 109, isolating Nam Chien commune and theNam Chien hydropower plant in Son la province. Up to 144 irrigation works inYen Bai and Son La, along with many other infrastructure facilities in theregion, were also damaged.
Total damage has amounted to over 538.2 billionVND (23.7 million USD), according to Central Steering Committee for NaturalDisaster Prevention and Control.-VNA
VNA
