Rain continues to batter north

The Luc Nam River in northern Bac Giang Province's water levels reached 6.36m yesterday, some 60cm higher than Emergency Level III, the river's highest alarm level, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said.

Other rivers such as the Thuong River, also in Bac Giang, recorded levels approaching Emergency Level III. The Thuong River reached 6.18m and the Thao River in Yen Bai Province reached 31.17m. The centre said the water levels should slowly decrease in the next 24 hours.

Quang Ninh coastal areas and Hai Phong will continue to experience heavy downpours until at least Tuesday morning. The centre's forecast indicated a sharp drop in the amount of rain late on Tuesday.

Dyke breach

Heavy rain was expected in the country's northwest and northeast regions, Ha Noi and several provinces in the centre and Central Highlands within the next 24 hours.

Tran Quang Hoai, deputy head of the country's Department of Water Resources, conducted a site visit yesterday and directed efforts to reinforce a breach on the Huu Cau Dyke in Bac Ninh after earth slides damaged the dyke.

Hoai ordered local authorities to stay vigilant and maintain a close watch over the dyke, as well as prepare manpower and machinery in case of emergency.

Crops lost

Heavy downpours during the past four days caused substantial damage to Hai Duong Province – especially in districts that had to deal with a momentous amount of rain, such as Chi Linh (252mm), Kinh Mon (230mm), Ninh Giang (223mm) and Kim Thanh (215mm).

The province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that more than 5,000ha of agricultural crops were inundated with water and a hundred fish cages were lost, costing farmers billions of dong.

The provincial authority ordered more than 450 pumping machines to drain the water and save as many crops as possible.

Ha Giang Province continued to experience heavy rain and strong wind, according to the provincial Steering Committee on Flood Prevention and Rescue.

The committee and provincial authorities provided residents with updated information of the harsh weather and guidance on how to proceed in case of an emergency. Local authorities were ordered to patrol and supervise areas with high risk of landslides and warn residents to keep away.

Heavy losses

The downpour led to the collapse and flooding of more than 9,000 houses. It also submerged 2,500ha of rice fields and killed more than 13,500 cattle in the northern provinces of Quang Ninh, Dien Bien, Lai Chau and Son La and Cao Bang.

In Quang Ninh Province, the week-long record rains and floods from July 25 to 31 caused losses of VND1,000 billion (US$4.7 million) for Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group.