VietNamNet Bridge – Heavy rain over the weekend has resulted in deadly flash floods and landslides in many northern mountainous provinces.

At least three people have died, three are missing and five others have been injured since heavy rain over the weekend resulted in flash floods and landslides in the northern mountain Lai Chau Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Quy Trung

At least three people have died, three are missing and five others have been injured in Lai Chau Province, according to provincial authorities.

Director of the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ha Van Um said the damage reached its peak at 2pm yesterday in the districts of Than Uyen and Muong Te.

More than 40ha of rice and others crops were completely destroyed by floods in the two districts, said the official.

A report from the provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue said rains and floods had damaged many roads and caused traffic jams on national roads 4D and 12, and landslides halted traffic in Tam Duong District, the report said.

Floods also swept away a bridge in Than Uyen District, and damaged two irrigation plants in Muong Te District as well as rice and crops, with total damage initially estimated at more than VND20 billion (US$873,000).

The committee said it was co-ordinating with local authorities to conduct search and rescue operations and tackle the aftermath of the rains and floods.

In Lao Cai Province, traffic on national highway 279 from Van Ban District to Than Uyen District in Lai Chau Province was stuck due to landslides and flash floods over the weekend.

Chairman of Van Ban District People’s Committee, Phan Trung Ba, revealed no casualties had been reported as of 11am yesterday, but dozens of houses and about 30ha of rice had been destroyed by the floods.

Ba said local people were still struggling to recover.

He said traffic was unlikely to return to normal any time soon because of damage caused by several landslides.

Authorities in Dien Bien Province, particularly in the districts of Muong Nhe, Nam Po, Muong Cha, Tua Chua, Tuan Giao, and Muong Lay Town, have issued flood and landslide warnings.

Traffic on highway 12 and inter-provincial road 4H has been interrupted due to landslides.

Dien Bien Province’s Steering Committee for Natural Disaster, Search and Rescue reported a rapid increase in water levels and warned local people not to venture near rivers. 

Flash floods have destroyed part of national highway 279 from Van Ban District in Lao Cai Province to Than Uyen District in Lai Chau Province. — Photo nld.com.vn

Source: VNS