Total damage caused by prolonged downpours and floods in the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh has exceeded 800 billion VND (35.2 million USD), according to the province’s steering board for disaster prevention, search and rescue.

People use rafts to pass a flooded area on National Highway 6 in Hoa Binh province 

As of 4pm of October 16, floods had killed 24 people, injured 12 others and left 10 missing in Hoa Binh. Up to 19 dead and missing people were in Tan Lac district while 11 others were reported in Da Bac district. Mai Chau and Kim Boi districts recorded two deaths each.

While more than 1,000 houses were inundated and damaged, all rice and other crop areas in the province were affected by heavy rains and floods with over 10,000ha completely flooded.

Almost all reservoirs in Hoa Binh were full and have had to release water to ensure their safety, some have been damaged.

Local authorities are augmenting efforts to search the missing, evacuate people to safer places and stabilise local life.

As of 9pm of October 15, torrential rains and floods had claimed 72 lives, injured 33 others and left 30 missing in northern and central localities, according to the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

VNA