Torrential rain, flash floods threaten 14 localities

August 11, 2016 - 17:00

Fourteen localities in the north and central region have been put on high alert till Sunday, over torrential rain of up to 250mm and flash floods.

A landslide occurs in a stretch of National Highway 4D running through Lào Cai Province on August 5. — Photo laodong.com.vn
Viet Nam News

HÀ NỘI — Fourteen localities in the north and central region have been put on high alert till Sunday, over torrential rain of up to 250mm and flash floods.

Hoàng Đức Cường, head of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said mountainous provinces, such as Lai Châu, Sơn La, Điện Biên, Lào Cai, Hà Giang and Yên bái faced a high risk of flash flooding in small streams and rivers, besides landslides.

Floods were expected to affect the Hồng – Thái Bình river system and rivers in Thanh Hóa and Nghệ An provinces till next Tuesday, he said.

In response to the situation, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and head of the National Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control Nguyễn Xuân Cường yesterday sent an urgent message to these localities’ administrations and relevant ministries.

Cường ordered the local administrations to evacuate people from areas facing a high risk of flash floods and landslides to safer places, and to mobilise all forces for emergencies.

The local administrations have been told to send teams to instruct people and to ensure their safety and of vessels in streams and rivers. 

Relevant ministries have been asked to assist the localities in coping with flash floods and landslides. — VNS

 

 

 

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