Vice President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân presents gift packages as support to people affected by the severe floods in Sơn La Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Quang Quyết

SƠN LA — Vice President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân on Friday examined the fixing of flood consequences in the northern mountainous province of Sơn La and visited people affected by natural disasters in Mường Chanh Commune of Mai Sơn District, and Bản Lầm Commune of Thuận Châu District.

Due to the impact of Typhoon No 2 (Prapiroon) from July 22-31, Sơn La Province experienced prolonged torrential rain over a wide area which led to flooding, flash floods and landslides.

Floods killed 11 people and injured 6 others, damaged 2,672 houses and 29 schools, while sweeping away 15 bridges, destroying 82 irrigation works and causing landslides in 13 locations along the roads, resulting in traffic congestion.

Total losses were estimated at over VNĐ500 billion (US$19.9 million).

Inspecting the affected areas in Mường Chanh and Bản Lầm communes, Vice President Xuân expressed sympathy to local residents and her hope that they will soon overcome their losses and resume their normal lives.

Hailing the efforts of officials and soldiers of the armed forces as well as other forces in the locality in supporting locals to overcome flood consequences, Vice President Xuân asked Sơn La to continue paying great attention to caring for the affected families and assisting them with their livelihoods.

In the coming time, Sơn La should drastically direct localities to keep a close watch on weather developments to minimise losses caused by rains and floods, she said.

In the long term, it is necessary to build plans for resettlement areas, relocate people from risky areas, restore production, and educate locals on skills to cope with natural disasters.

Sơn La’s Party Committee secretary and People’s Committee chairman of Hoàng Quốc Khánh pledged that the locality will effectively take necessary measures to alleviate the damage and help people in flood-affected areas return to stabilise and resume production activities.

On the occasion, the vice president and her delegation presented Sơn La with VNĐ700 million ($27,870), and particularly Mai Sơn and Thuận Châu districts with VNĐ200 million to support them in overcoming flood consequences.

They also presented 50 gift packages to 50 households affected by natural disasters in Mường Chanh and Bản Lầm communes.

The National Fund for Vietnamese Children also presented VNĐ200 million to affected children in Sơn La, while the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control gifted locals with 1,000 packs of instant noodles. — VNS