Flooding kills 13 in central region
Flooding due to heavy torrential rainfall has taken the lives of 13 people across the central region over the weekend amid fears of more rain this week.
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The Centre of Flood and Storm Prevention in the Central and Central Highlands regions reported on December 5 that six people from Binh Dinh province were killed in the flooding, while the neighbouring Quang Ngai and Quang Nam provinces lost four and three people, respectively.
A fisherman, Nguyen Son, 49, from Binh Dinh, is still missing at sea, having been washed off a fishing vessel by high waves on November 29.
Another three residents were injured in the flooding.
The report also said over 100 houses in Binh Dinh and Quang Ngai, the two hardest-hit provinces, collapsed on December 3, while over 12,500 ha of rice and vegetables were submerged.
Over 10,000 houses were inundated there, while rescue forces managed to move 260 families in Quang Ngai to safety.
Nearly 19,000 fowl and cattle in the two provinces died or were swept away since early last week.
Flooding also damaged 30km of roads in the two provinces, broke 130 irrigation dams and 10 bridges.
Binh Dinh was the most damaged locale, with 90% of its farming lands and livestock deeply submerged.
Over 500 soldiers were called to help residents, while rescue forces brought logistics, medicine and water to the most flood-affected areas in the province.
The centre also reported that most reservoirs in the region were 90% to 96% full, while 14 reservoirs of hydro-power plants and lakes began discharging water on December 2.
Heavy rainfall and water discharged from hydro-power plants in Quang Nam also caused heavy floods in rural districts and villages over the weekend.
Three children were drowned in flooding in Nong Son, Nui Thanh and Phu Ninh districts on December 3.
Over 1,100 houses in Nong Son, Nui Thanh and the suburban Tam Ky city were also flooded and collapsed.
The flood prevention centre also warned that a cold spell is forecast to hit the region, and heavy rains will occur from Thua Thien-Hue to Binh Dinh till December 8, while strong winds and high waves (up to 4m) will occur from Thua Thien-Hue to Khanh Hoa provinces.
Quang Ngai has banned all passenger and fishing boats from sailing.
