Severe flooding triggered by tropical storm Bebinca has caused extensive loses to life and property in many localities throughout the northern and central regions.

According to preliminary statistics, by the end of August 17, three people were dead or missing due to flooding in northern Son La province. Heavy rains and floods also damaged 26 houses, with one collapsing and six others needing to be evacuated. More than 130ha of paddy rice has been lost in the floods.

Landslides in a number of areas have led to traffic jams, restricting access to isolated localities. Two suspension bridges in Sop Cop and Pung Banh communes were swept away while many irrigation and hydroelectric power projects have been seriously damaged.

On the morning of August 18, localities were busy with the recovery effort in the aftermath of the storm, searching for missing people and mobilizing sources to clear routes and ensure traffic safety.

Thousands of households in Thieu Duong commune of Thanh Hoa City had to be evacuated overnight into the early morning of August 18 as water levels on the Chu River are dangerously high. By noon of August 18, thousands of houses and communal paths were submerged in the flood. Local people had to use boats for transport as they moved their belongings to safety.

Le Anh Xuan, chairman of Thanh Hoa City People’s Committee, said thousands of households in Thieu Duong, Thieu Khanh, Hoang Anh, and Hoang Long communes and Dong Hai and Tao Xuyen wards were evacuated to safer areas by 10am on August 18. The City will continue to carry out evacuations of local people from dangerous areas as the water level on the Ma River rises.

By that time, storm Bebinca had claimed six lives, destroyed 16 houses and damaged many hectares of rice and subsidiary crops in Ky Son district, Central Nghe An province.

The province is currently grappling with unprecedented levels of flooding. Relevant forces are working tirelessly to help locals evacuate.

Heavy downpours from tropical storm Bebinca have added to upstream floodwaters flowing to Central Nghe An province in recent days inundating many mountainous districts of Nghe An. (Photo Quy Hop police) Quy Hop district’s police wade into the water to help locals find refuge The strong current of the floodwaters makes accessing the locals a very dangerous job. Floodwaters pour into rivers and streams. Many local houses are awash with several feet of water. Locals in Nghia Xuan commune move cattle to safe areas. Many communes in Ky Son district are impassible due to flooding. Some routes are inundated with water. Mountainous districts of Quy Hop, Quy Chau, Tan Ky, Con Cuong, Tuong Duong and Ky Son continue to be beset by heavy rains and flooding. Landslides have cut off access to many hamlets. There is still no end to the deluge in Nghe An province.

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