Rising water of Hồng (Red) River inundates gardens in Lào Cai City. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Torrential rain and heavy floods over the weekend have caused almost half a million dollars worth of damage to the northern mountainous provinces.

Between 100 and 250mm rain fell in Lào Cai from Thursday to Saturday damaging 16 houses and flooding 33.4ha of farm land in Bát Xát District, according to local authorities as of 6pm on Saturday.

The heaviest downpour was recorded in Bát Xát District with a capacity of 243.2mm.

Key roads in Cốc Mỳ, Trịnh Tường communes and the provincial road 156B suffered from landslides, causing traffic congestion.

The losses the district suffered were estimated to reach more than VNĐ10 billion (US$435,000).

Lào Cai City had 12 houses damaged and a concrete bridge in Cam Đường Commune collapsed.

A dam in Bảo Thắng District with a capacity of 60,000cu.m was eroded. Local authorities mobilised forces to reinforce the dam to ensure its safety.

As of 4pm on Saturday, water retrieved on provincial roads No 156 and 156B. Traffic has been back to normal.

A local man in Phong Thổ District, Lai Châu Province died after falling into the Nậm Cúm River. His body was found more than 20km away.

The National Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control on Sunday sent a dispatch on responding to rain and flood consequences to northern mountainous provinces and relevant ministries.

According to the dispatch, since late June, northern mountainous provinces have suffered from heavy downpours, resulting in flash floods, landslides, human and property losses, especially in Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Hà Giang, Lai Châu and Sơn La provinces.

The natural disasters caused damages to transport, irrigation works, affecting the production and livelihoods of local people.

Heavy rain, flash floods and landslides are forecast to continue in those areas.

The National Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control asked local committees to continue taking measures to prevent flash floods, landslides in order to minismise human and property losses.

Local committees have been urged to review areas prone to high risks of floods and landslides, especially locations near rivers, streams, downstream of reservoirs and lowland areas and relocate residents to safer zones.

They have also been asked to inspect the safety of dams, reservoirs under construction, ensure the safety of mining areas and crackdown on illegal mineral exploitation which might cause mine collapse and landslides. — VNS