Four killed, eight missing as heavy rain hits central and central highlands regions
VOV.VN - Four people have died whilst a further eight people have gone missing in the central and central highlands regions after a period of historic rainfall caused severe flooding which damaged roads, caused landslides, and disrupted the flow of traffic along major routes.
The deceased victims came from the districts of Hai Lang, Trieu Phong, and Ba To in the central province of Quang Tri, while the remaining victim was from the central highlands province of Gia Lai.
At present, a further eight people remain missing, including six people from Quang Tri, an individual from Gia Lai province, and another from Thua Thien Hue province.
The record amount of rainfall in the centre of the country has led to water levels rapidly rising in rivers throughout Thua Thien Hue, Quang Binh, and Quang Nam, in addition to causing severe flooding in lowland and urban areas in localities from Quang Binh and Quang Nam.
Currently, relevant forces in these localities have moved to evacuate thousands of local residents from some of the region’s hardest-hit areas to safe shelters, with students in Quang Tri, Da Nang, and Thua Thien Hue being forced to stay home from school.
Furthermore, heavy downpours have also disrupted traffic routes in the districts of Huong Hoa and Dak Rong, along the Ho Chi Minh trail, and on National Highway 9 which runs through Quang Tri province, causing floods, landslides, and traffic congestion, while other highways in Thua Thien Hue province has been left inundated with flooding.
The recent weather has also caused two fishing vessels to be left stranded, whilst three cargo ships had sunk in Quang Tri province.
The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has therefore set up two working groups in an effort to inspect preparations for the arrival of the low-pressure zone in the East Sea from October 7 to October 11 at localities such as Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, and Khanh Hoa.
According to local authorities, traffic on Highway 49 from Hue to A Luoi will reopen on the afternoon of October 9, while relevant forces have initiated efforts to urgent search for missing people and rescue ships in distress at sea.
