CENTRAL REGION — Local residents in the central provinces of Hà Tĩnh and Quảng Bình have been warned of flashfloods, as a tropical depression arrived in the localities this morning (October 10).

Meanwhile, heavy rains from the depression had impacted the neighbouring provinces of Nghệ An, Quảng Trị and Thừa Thiên- Huế since Monday evening.

The tropical depression reached the local coast in Hà Tĩnh and Quảng Bình at 7am on Tuesday, with a wind speed of level 6 or a maximum 50km per hour. It is forecast to go further inland at a lower speed and end in the afternoon in Laos.

Due to the depression, heavy rains will hit the provinces today and are forecast to continue till Wednesday morning.

In Hà Tĩnh, the maximum rainfall could reach 200mm. According to Trần Đức Bá, director of Hà Tĩnh Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Station, water level in the local rivers of La, Ngàn Sâu and Ngàn Phố is rising quickly and would cause flooding in the entire province.

Bá warned residents in the upper parts of the rivers of the threat of flashfloods, while locals in lowland areas were also warned of floods.

Heavy rains have created sudden urban flooding in Nghệ An, Quảng Trị and Thừa Thiên- Huế, causing chaos and claiming the life of a young boy.

In Nghệ An’s Vinh City, traffic on the city’s main streets became chaotic during rush hours as floodwater from continuous rains throughout the night reached half the height of the vehicles. Many homes have also been inundated with floodwater.

All schools in the city have been shut down, to keep children away from chaotic traffic and safe from possible flood accidents.

Strong current from continuous heavy rain on Monday evening in Quảng Trị’s Đông Hà City swept two siblings and their motorbike away when they were on the way home from school. The older brother was saved while his younger brother flew into a culvert in the city’s Đông Lễ Ward. Local rescuers have yet to find his body.

Traffic in the city is chaotic as flooding continues on many local streets.

Schools in the coastal and lowland areas of Thừa Thiên- Huế’s districts of Phong Điền, Quảng Điền, Hương Trà, Phú Vang and Phú Lộc allowed students to stay home from Monday afternoon to prevent fatal accidents.

Local authorities also alerted 29,350 families in landslide-prone areas around the province, of an evacuation in case of risks. Water in the local rivers of Hương, Bồ and Ô Lâu rose to alarming levels, while the main streets of Huế City were flooded to a level of 60cm, hindering traffic. — VNS