Troops prepare for rains and floods in northern provinces

It also directed units stationed in Northern mountainous areas to closely watch flooding developments, especially in provinces badly hit by recent floods, to consult with local Party committees and authorities about the local flooding situation while frequently checking places that are likely to experience flash floods and landslides.

The floods in Quang Ninh province. (Photo: VNA) 

Units were also asked to evacuate locals from dangerous areas to avoid human losses. Furthermore, they should assist locals in house repairs, environmental sanitation, disease prevention and control, distribution of necessities, and in quickly resuming production and returning to normal daily life.

They were also urged to be on duty around the clock and prepare forces and assets to undertake rescue missions if required.

Meanwhile, the staff bodies of both Military Regions, 7 and 9, directed military commands of cities and provinces around the Mekong River and other units stationed there to closely follow big flood developments and alert locals in time to take measures to minimize losses of lives and property. It is also necessary to check all dyke and canal systems and ensure the safety of units’ barracks while assisting people to continue harvesting crops.

On August 14, rains, floods and landslides continued in northern mountainous provinces, according to the Standing Office of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

Continuous heavy rains and landslides in Bac Kan, Lao Cai and Quang Ninh have so far claimed four lives, left one missing, one injured, with one house collapsed.

Also on August 14, the Quang Ninh Provincial Military Command mobilized nearly 50 troops in cooperation with local fire-fighters to successfully find the body of Pham Bich Diep, a 6^th grader who had fallen into a draining sluice in Gieng Day Ward, Ha Long City with her body being swept away by flooding water.

The same day, the Military Region 2 Command directed the military commands of Yen Bai and Son La provinces and its affiliated units to team up with other local forces to search the missing and give assistance to locals in reinforcing important projects.