The recent flooding has inundated thousands of houses in the central provinces of Binh Dinh and Quang Ngai, leaving at least 19 dead and 2 missing over recent times.

The flood situation in the central provinces from Quang Ngai to Ninh Thuan has continued to worsen because of the influence of consecutive heavy downpours and water release from the local irrigation reservoirs in the recent days, reported the Department of Natural Disaster Prevention in the Central and Central Highlands region. 

Flood level on the river systems is rising rapidly due to heavy rains and water release from the local irrigation reservoirs.

More than 1,000 houses are damaged

The floodwater caused serious damages to people and the property, 17 people died from December 5- 7.

Yesterday, the water level on local river systems of Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh reached up to level 3. 

The floodwater inundated more than 1,000 houses under 0.5- 1meter water, made landfall of ten interprovincial traffic roads.

Rising water on Tra Khuc River caused 20 kilometers of talus landslide in Quang Ngai. In the face of the breakdown, the People’s Committee in Quang Ngai and functional forces cleaned up stone embankment and repaired dyke systems.

Irrigation reservoirs respectively open water release

Long- lasting medium- heavy rains occurred in the south central region in the past three days.

The highest rainfall in Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan reached at 80- 150 mm, even up to 300 mm in some places while local irrigation reservoirs continued to release water. It is forecast that localities in two provinces will continue to facing floods. 

In Ninh Thuan, around ten irrigation reservoirs started releasing water with a volume of 100 meter cubic per seconds.

Statistics showed that the heavy rain and flood destroyed over 600 hectares of rice crops, 70 hectares of shrimp ponds, 1.2 hectares of fishing farming and 40 hectares of salty crops and 100 houses.

Heavy rain in parallel with water release from nine irrigation reservoirs caused devastating flood in the low areas of Khanh Hoa.

Adopting anti-flooding measures

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has just sent an emergency message to the flood affected localities to quickly overcome the consequences and help keep stability to people's lives. 

The PM condoled with the victim’s families and shared with difficulties of local authorities. He asked the People’s Committee of the provinces and relevant agencies should adopt necessary measures for anti-flooding, instructing residents out of damaged zones.

In addition, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc also asked the Ministry of Trade and Industry to control the operation of reservoirs and hydropower plants; and Ministry of Transportation quickly overcome consequences of  the landslide to ensure smooth traffic.

Quang Nam village isolated as road swept away in flood

Nearly 350 families in Dong Binh Village have been isolated for the last few days after a new flood in Quang Nam Province damaged a bridge and the only road to the outside.

Nearly 90m of bridge and road that local people contributed and helped build three years ago to connect Dong Binh Village with the outside world were destroyed in the flood on December 4. On December 7, hundreds of people and local security forces attempted to rapidly repair the bridge and the road despite heavy rain. 

Villager Nguyen Van Anh said, "We raised the funds and built this bridge and road. But the rain and hydropower discharge caused the water to rapidly rise. If we don't repair the bridge quickly, Dong Binh Village will be isolated for a long time."

It also caused erosion in Ha My Village. Villager Nguyen Duy Cuong said when the road connecting Ha My and Dong Binh villages was damaged, the water broke in and swept away his newly-built convenient store and some palm trees.

Pham Thi Cuc, another local said she suffered a loss of VND20m (USD883) after her store was swept away.

Nguyen Sau, chairman of Duy Vinh Commune, said the road was vital for Dong Binh villagers to trade with other places.

"We sent about 500 police, local security guards and police from neighbouring communes too, to repair the road. We are also encouraging people to use their boats to carry Dong Binh villagers," he said.

He went on to say that the damage was estimated at VND6bn (USD265,000).

Reports from the Department of Natural Disaster Prevention in the Central and Highlands on December 8 showed that since December 6, four people have died, two are missing and three are injured during the floods.

Many districts in Binh Dinh Province have been left submerged under 1-1.5 metres of water. Quang Ngai Province asked for VND7bn in urgent support to buy seeds for the coming cultivation season and 300kg of rice for the flood victims.

VOV/VNE/SGGP