A rice shop in Khánh Hòa Province inundated. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The General Staff of the Việt Nam People’s Army has ordered the Department of Search and Rescue to send 15 tonnes of dry rations to Military Region 5 immediately, ensuring flood-hit residents receive prompt support and no one goes hungry.

Military medical units have been instructed to take comprehensive measures in affected areas, including sanitation and disease-prevention efforts, disinfection, medical examinations and treatment and the distribution of free medicines to local residents.

The Ministry of National Defence has tasked military forces with using all available means to reach residential areas still isolated or submerged by floodwaters and landslides, continuing the evacuation of residents to safe locations.

They are also responsible for providing food, essential goods and clean water and for helping restore production, business activities and stabilise local livelihoods as floodwaters recede.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has instructed medical units in Khánh Hòa, Đắk Lắk and Gia Lai provinces to maintain round-the-clock professional and emergency duty during floods and remain ready to treat disaster victims.

Flooding and landslides in the southern and central regions have claimed 43 lives and left nine people missing as of Friday morning. Đắk Lắk Province reported the highest death toll with 16, followed by Khánh Hòa with 14.

More than 67,700 houses were inundated while over 13,000ha of rice and other crops were damaged, with total economic losses exceeding VNĐ3 trillion. — VNS