*** At least 32 people were reported killed, 31 missing and 9 injured in Lao Cai province. In Bat Xat district alone, 21 people have been confirmed dead, 19 others missing and nine injured. Rising floodwaters have submerged and destroyed more than 1,639 houses and over 1,500 hectares of subsidiary crops. Although floodwaters have begun to recede, some mountainous communes of Sa Pa, Bat Xat and Bao Thang districts are still isolated.

Rescue teams have been mobilised to evacuate households from areas vulnerable to landslides to safe ground and restore traffic flow in the province.

*** The mountainous northern province of Yen Bai reported 29 deaths, 19 injured and four missing. Landslides and floodwaters have blocked many sections of Highway 70, which connects the provinces of Phu Tho, Yen Bai and Lao Cai. The province’s total economic damage is estimated at around VND40 billion.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat on August 9-10 inspected the development of flood prevention measures at some localities in Yen Bai province. Mr Phat asked local authorities to continue monitoring floods to help people move from dangerous areas to safe ground in time and mobilise all forces such as the army, police, militia and health workers to restore communication and traffic networks in order to stabilize people’s live soon.

Currently, the city has evacuated more than 2,400 households from flooded areas.

*** Torrential rain also caused flash floods and landslides in Bac Kan province, leaving at least one dead, and one missing in Cao Son commune, Bach Thong district and two injured in Na Tri district. Floodwaters have submerged and destroyed 119 houses, two classrooms and nearly 200 hectares of subsidiary crops while landslides have blocked many transport links. Total damage is estimated at more than VND3 billion.

*** Due to prolonged heavy downpours, there are reports of sinking areas in Ta Mung commune, Than Uyen district, Lai Chau province. Local authorities have taken urgent measures to evacuate 26 households from the dangerous areas.

*** Heavy downpours have also caused flash floods in Phu Tho province, leaving at least six dead. Floodwaters have submerged and destroyed around 1,300 houses and nearly 2,500 hectares of rice and subsidiary crops. Flash flood have also swept away three bridges, broken 650 reservoirs and blocked many sections of the highway 70. Many dyke sections in Ha Hoa and Cam Khe districts have been flooded.

Local authorities have co-ordinated with leaders from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to strengthen inspection, mobilize all forces to minimize human and economic losses and call upon local people to monitor the weather, and flood levels in the rivers to take timely measures to prevent disasters.

*** In Tuyen Quang province, floodwaters have submerged and destroyed 155 houses, 1,300 hectares of subsidiary crops, and nine bridges and blocked many roads. Yen Son district is hardest hit with more than 1,000 hectares of rice destroyed.

Source: VOV