VietNamNet Bridge – Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN)'s northern division said it would take at least nine days to repair electricity infrastructure and equipment damaged by storm Haima.


Hai Phong Electricity Company workers repair 110kV power lines broken by storms at Quoc Tuan Commune, An Lao District. (Photo: VNS)
EVN's Northern Power Corporation said their initial surveys indicated that total losses to the northern power system caused by last week's storm had reached more than VND10 billion (US$490,000).

The latest report from the National Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control said the storm claimed 17 lives and had left six missing and 64 injured. More than 2,670 houses were pulled down or left seriously damaged, while more than 23,460ha of rice crops and 4774ha of subsidiary crops were submerged.

In northern Hai Phong City, whirlwinds and heavy rain caused power blackouts in Thuy Nguyen District's An Lu Commune, toppled 20 electricity poles and damaged 50 power lines, causing power cuts for more than 1,170 transformer stations. An additional 13 stations experienced technical problems.

Second body found

The second body of four presumed victims of the recent flood, which hit Mu Cang Chai District's Nam Khat Commune in northern mountainous Yen Bai Province last week, was found on Sunday.

The 18-year-old victim was found in nearby Son La Province's Muong La District, Ngoc Chien Commune.

Rescue workers are continuing their search for the other two missing people. The first victim was found last week.

Supports for victims in flooded areas can be sent to Mu Cang Chai District's Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, bank account number 946900000013.

In central Thanh Hoa Province, 37 electricity poles and one transformer station were damaged, causing power cuts for hundreds of households.

In central Nghe An Province, 37 electricity poles and dozens of electricity meters were destroyed. Power supplies to submerged areas in Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Quy Hop and Nghia Dan districts had to be cut temporarily.

Nam Dinh was the worst hit province in the north. Nearly 450 electricity poles were damaged, four transformer stations had technical problems and several others were destroyed as the storm wreaked havoc across the province. Losses were estimated at up to VND7 billion ($343,000).

The corporation said it would try its best to resume power supplies to pumping stations in affected areas, while workers had already checked on technical issues at some power stations and resumed power supplies in some areas.

In submerged areas in central Nghe An Province and hard-hit Nam Dinh Province, the corporation would check and resume power supplies as soon as flood waters recede.

Repairs are expected to be completed by July 5.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News