A man in central Nghệ An Province cleans up his house after heavy rains and floods. — VNA/VNS Photo

CENTRAL REGION — The central region has been experiencing torrential rains over the past few days with floods in low-lying locations, urban inundation and flash floods as well as landslides in mountainous areas.

According to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, there is a likelihood of continued prolonged heavy rain in the region.

Torrential downpours are forecast to continue across the region from Nghệ An to Quảng Nam provinces, with rainfall ranging from 200 to 400mm, and even exceeding 700mm in some areas.

From October 15 to 16, the area from Quảng Bình to Quảng Ngãi provinces is likely to record rainfall of 150-300mm, with some areas possibly logging over 500mm.

The central province of Quảng Bình has established community pioneer teams supporting people isolated by floods.

The team in Dân Hóa Commune, Minh Hóa District, where lots of landslide are reported, has been on duty around the clock in flooded areas to give warnings to local people.

The pioneer teams are also the first to access isolated villages and help residents relocate.

All of the team members have been equipped with waterways vehicle driving permits and first-aid knowledge.

Minh Hóa District has over 70 areas at rick of landslides, floods and flashfloods in 14 communes and towns.

Nearly 2,000 local people need to be relocated in case of prolonged torrential rains.

Meanwhile, all schools were closed on Friday in two communes located at low-lying areas of Phong Điền District, central Thừa Thiên-Huế Province.

Some road sections in low-lying areas next to rivers were partly flooded.

Local authorities have prepared resident’s relocation plan and mobilise forces to assist people at heavily-flooded areas to minimise human losses.

Other schools in Thừa Thiên-Huế must follow the rain developments and prepare school-off plans to ensure safety for teachers and students.

All contractors of transport, irrigation and construction projects in the province have been ordered to ensure safety for workers and equipment.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has issued a dispatch requiring agencies, ministries and local administrations be ready to quickly respond to risks posed by heavy rains and floods in the central region.

To ensure human safety and mitigate property damage to both the residents and the State, the PM, in his dispatch, instructed the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, the National Committee for Incident and Disaster Response, Search and Rescue, ministers, and heads of people’s committees of central and Central Highlands localities to closely monitor weather developments and proactively and effectively implement response measures.

The authorities should be prepared to evacuate households in dangerous areas, especially those at high risk of landslides, flash floods, and deep flooding, to safe places. They should have plans to provide temporary accommodation, food, and essential items for the evacuated people. The safety of teachers, students, and educational facilities in flooded areas should also be ensured, while protection measures for dikes and reservoirs are advised to be implemented based on the alert levels.

Provinces and cities are required to conduct communications and give guidance to people in how to stay safe and prepare food and essential items in case disasters cause prolonged isolation. They should also arrange forces and means to promptly organise evacuation and conduct search and rescue operations in emergencies.

A series of tasks were also given to the ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, of Agriculture and Rural Development, Education and Training, and Transport, among others. — VNS