CENTRAL REGION — Central coastal localities stretching from Thừa Thiên- Huế to Khánh Hòa are on alert for torrential rain, with rainfall of up to 300mm, and floods expected between December 6 and 9.

Torrential rain was forecast due to the combination of a cold spell and air turbulence, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said yesterday.

The forecast was released three days after the central region was battered by torrential rain and floods during November 29 and December 2, killing 15 people and injuring 3 others, destroying 101 houses and flooding over 12,600 others. The data was revealed yesterday morning by the National Steering Committee for Natural Disasters Prevention and Control.

The forecasting centre yesterday also warned that water levels in rivers in Quảng Ngãi and Bình Định were rising.

Đặng Văn Minh, vice chairman of the People’s Committee of Quảng Ngãi Province talked to the Voice of Việt Nam online newspaper that he ordered all districts where rivers’ water levels was rising to take measures to prevent locals from crossing streams and rivers.

Bình Định Province, which suffered the most from previous torrential rain with six dead people, three injured and nearly 9,000 flooded houses, has attempted to help locals whose lives affected by the rain.

Tăng Quốc Chính, deputy chief of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disasters Prevention and Control’s Office asked affected localities to visit the families of victims of the torrential rain and floods, give financial support to affected people, especially, in remote areas, calculate total damage and continue monitoring the newly-forecasted torrential rain.

Localities must also ensure safety for reservoirs during the torrential rain and floods, he said.

The forecasting centre said the cold spell would bring a temperature drop for the northern region from Tuesday night. The lowest temperature will be 14 degrees Celsius in Hà Nội and 6 degrees Celsius in high mountainous areas. — VNS