A bulldozer cleans mud on a road in Cam Pha city of Quang Ninh (Photo: VNA)The State-run Vietnam National Coal – Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) is planning a series of measures to address the impacts of the worst rainstorm and flood in four decades in northern coastal Quang Ninh province.
The record downpour from July 26-31 in Quang Ninh – with rainfall as high as 800 millimetres in Ha Long and Cam Pha cities on July 26-27 – severely influenced the group’s production and business activities.
Vinacomin halted all coal production activities in Quang Ninh, which is known for its great coal reserves, to focus on deluge prevention and post-flood recovery.
In the next few days, the firm will focus resources on ensuring the safety of vulnerable dams, mines and tunnels and draining flood water out of the facilities to resume operations as soon as possible.
It will go on with repairing roads and railways designed for coal transport to ensure supply for consumption facilities, especially electricity plants. Meanwhile, the company will also work to reinforce retaining walls at coal storage sites, dredge drainage systems and gear up personnel in case of emergencies.
Vinacomin is also deploying forces to help Quang Ninh address flood consequences by evacuating residents, accommodating evacuees and donating money.
Incessant rains and deluge have claimed at least 17 lives and left eight others injured in Quang Ninh.
The National Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control said on July 31 that the costs of flood damages exceeded 2.2 trillion VND (109 million USD). The coal sector in Quang Ninh suffered damages of up to 1.2 trillion VND (55.8 million USD).-VNA
