A house in Nậm Nhừ Commune faces risk of collapse after the Sunday night flood. VNA/VNS Photo

ĐIỆN BIÊN —  Nậm Pồ District authorities have mobilised relevant forces to evacuate residents from dangerous areas and assist them in moving their belongings to safety.

Flash floods triggered by prolonged torrential rain, starting on Sunday night with rainfall measured at between 30mm and 52mm in the northern mountainous province of Điện Biên, caused serious damage throughout the locality.

Nậm Pồ District was the hardest hit by the floods with damage estimated at more than VNĐ4 billion (US$172,000).

Immediately after the flash floods occurred, the district authorities urgently directed rescuers to the scene to assist local people and provided financial support to families whose houses were swept away.

Fifteen border guards of Nậm Nhừ Commune station went to local villages to evacuate residents from dangerous areas and assist them in moving their belongings to safe places.

In Nậm Pồ District, Nậm Nhừ Commune suffered the worst with damage up to VNĐ3 billion. At least four houses were swept away on Monday and 128 households were isolated.

The local primary school was submerged and is warned of a possible collapse while many motorbikes, equipment of teachers and students and local residents’ belongings were swept away.

Teacher Lường Văn Tươi said: “The rising flood water came at night, while my family is sleeping in a house built for teachers inside the school. Hearing the flood, my wife and I climbed onto the roof.

"Then the villagers used a ladder to help us get off. I thought I wouldn't be able to escape," he said. "It's still lucky for us although a motorbike and all of our belongings were swept away.”

Bùi Văn Luyện, Chairman of the of Nậm Pồ District People's Committee, worried the weather is still unpredictable.

“The flood water has receded, but the water level in rivers and streams is still high, with fast water flow,” Luyện said. According to Điện Biên Province’s Centre for Hydrometeorology Forecasting, heavy rains will last until Wednesday. — VNS