Paddy fields were flooded in Tuyên Quang Province. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Two days of heavy rain in north Việt Nam has left five people dead, five more injured, and one person missing.

Torrential rain swept through the north since Monday afternoon flooding several cities and districts in a dozen of localities in the region, washing away houses, damaging roads and causing traffic disruption.

The recorded rainfall ranged from 55mm in Hà Nội and up to 240mm in Thái Nguyên Province.

According to local authorities, the five killed were in Thái Nguyên and Tuyên Quang provinces.

In Thái Nguyên Province, strong wind and rain pushed over a part of the boundary wall of a factory, killing three people.

The incident occurred at around 4.45am on Tuesday. Four builders were sleeping in their shack next to the wall collapsed.

The three victims were identified as 45-year-old Nguyễn Viết Tuấn from Hà Nội and Hà Giang residents Vàng Văn Lượng, 18 and Vàng Văn Thới, 20.

The last builder, Vàng Văn Viêng, only suffered minor injuries.

Flooding in Tuyên Quang Province meanwhile swept away a whole family of three. Rescuers managed to find the bodies of two and were still searching for the last victim.

Lighting struck four people in Bắc Kạn Province, of whom three were from the same family. Their lives were not in danger, though, said the local authorities.

Under water

Thái Nguyen Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and Rescue reported that heavy rain flooded nearly 1,100 houses and some 670ha of rice fields along with several roads. Water submerged a power substation in Thái Nguyên City, which led to a wide-scale power outage across the Thịnh Đán Ward.

The mountainous province of Bắc Kạn also suffered economic loss when more than 230ha of paddy fields were flooded, while Hà Giang had about 100ha damaged.

Some 300 houses in Hà Giang’s Yên Minh Township and Mậu Duệ, Ngam La, Đông Minh communes were submerged with a large number of residents’ furniture and assets washed away in the flood.

Cao Bằng authorities said the province lost more than 117ha of paddy field while landslide and flooding on the inter-provincial road No 222 halted traffic flow.

Congestion was also reported in Lai Châu Province after three inter-provincial roads were slightly damaged by landslide.

The municipal Department of Transport deputy director Mai Khắc Phượng said falling soil and rocks blocked traffic on roads No 133, 127 and 135.

Authorities mobilised forces to clear up the roads on Tuesday morning and traffic was back to normal by noon, he said.

More rain coming

In the capital Hà Nội, rain resumed on Wednesday morning for a couple of hours following a short break the previous day.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned more rain was expected on Wednesday night across the whole northern region.

The Standing Office of the Central Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control issued orders asking municipal disaster committee to stay alert and watch out for flash flood and landslide, especially in mountainous areas vulnerable to the disasters. — VNS