More calamities in central region due to flooding
More provinces in the central and Central Highlands region have been affected by floods following heavy rains in the first days of November, including Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Kon Tum and Dak Lak.
Binh Dinh central province reported two deaths and two injuries, while material damages are estimated at more than VND100 billion (approximately US$4.5 million).
According to initial statistics of the provincial steering committee for natural disaster control and search and rescue, 189 houses were destroyed, 116 others damaged and 1,450 houses submerged, forcing over 330 households to evacuate while 230 other were isolated for some time. More than 1,160 ha of rice and 628 ha of other food crops were inundated, not to mention damages to local roads, dams, dykes and electricity networks.
In Khanh Hoa province, rescue forces are still searching for a one-year-old girl in Nha Trang City who fell into Quan Truong River and went missing on November 5 morning.
Downpours with total rainfalls of 250-300 mm across the province during the past four days have pushed water levels in local rivers up, surpassing alarm level 3 in Cai River by 0.06m and alarm level 2 in Dinh River by 0.14m.
The provincial authorities estimated total losses at VND124 billion (nearly US$5.6 million).
Meanwhile, a 42-year-old man was swept away in a swelling stream in Kon Tum province and is still missing. Rains and floods caused landslides in more than 30 points on local roads. The provincial authorities have cautioned people about flash floods and landslides as more rains are forecasted in the next several days.
In the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, rain has stopped and flooding began to recede in some areas. Armed forces stationed in the province are joining hands with local people to clean up the environment, repair damaged houses, roads and social infrastructure such as schools and clinics.
The provincial administration has sent essential supplies to areas isolated by floods in Krong Bong and Ea Kar districts which are hardest hit by floods brought about by rains of up to 250-300mm.
One person was killed by the floods, 584 households had to evacuate and close to 5,500 ha of food crops were submerged
