At least seven people have been killed, five others injured and 12 remained missing in flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains on June 23 and 24, according to the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

Floods in Lai Chau Province on June 23. Photo by Congannhandan

A report from the committee said that by 8:00 on June 25, floods and landslides had left five dead, three missing and five injured in Ha Giang and Lai Chau provinces.

Rains and floods had destroyed more than 300 houses, damaged many roads, and caused temporary traffic interruption in Van Ban and Quan Ba districts in Ha Giang Province and Tam Duong District in Lai Chau Province, and some areas in Lao Cai and Thai Nguyen provinces the report said.

Floods also swept away many areas of rice and crops in many localities, with total economic losses estimated at over VND56 billion (USD2.47 million).

The committee is coordinating with local authorities to conduct search and rescue operations and tackling the aftermath of the rains and floods.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has issued a dispatch asking relevant ministries, sectors and localities to focus resources on search and rescue along with activities to overcome flood consequences in northern mountainous and midland provinces.

The Government leader sent deepest sympathy to families of the victims, and required local authorities to support affected families, and providing safe shelter and food to locals.

Dtinews/VNA