Fourteen localities in the north and central region have been put on high alert till Sunday, over torrential rain of up to 250mm and flash floods.



A landslide occurs in a stretch of National Highway 4D running through Lào Cai Province on August 5.

Hoang Duc Cuong, head of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said mountainous provinces, such as Lai Chau, Son La, Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Ha Giang and Yen Bai faced a high risk of flash flooding in small streams and rivers, besides landslides.

Floods were expected to affect the Hong (Red) – Thai Binh river system and rivers in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces till next Tuesday, he said.

In response to the situation, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and head of the National Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control Nguyen Xuan Cuong yesterday sent an urgent message to these localities’ administrations and relevant ministries.

Cường ordered the local administrations to evacuate people from areas facing a high risk of flash floods and landslides to safer places, and to mobilise all forces for emergencies.

The local administrations have been told to send teams to instruct people and to ensure their safety and of vessels in streams and rivers. 

Relevant ministries have been asked to assist the localities in coping with flash floods and landslides. 

VNS