More severe weather looms in central region
As Quang Nam Province sends rescue missions to flood-stricken areas, central and north-central regions are bracing themselves for the impact of a tropical low pressure system approaching today from the East Sea.
In Quang Nam, heavy rains and strong winds over the last three days triggered flash floods and landslides, killing one person and destroying infrastructure and houses, causing material losses estimated at VND25 billion (US$1.5 million).
Traffic Monday resumed on road No. 616, the only entrance to Nam Tra My District, after being obstructed by severe
landslides on Saturday. Dozens of bulldozers were also mobilized to clear many landslide areas on the Ho Chi Minh Route and national roads No.14D and 14E.
Volunteers in Tien Phuoc District Monday helped rebuild 14 houses that collapsed at Tien An and Tien Canh communes and assisted 334 households in the district return to their houses.
Authorities in the districts of Bac Tra My, Dien Ban and Tay Giang also handed out rice, life jackets and lifeboats to local residents. Work is ongoing on warehouses that will store food during the storm season.
In Da Nang City, the Border Guard Monday said they have instructed offshore boats to avoid areas likely to be affected by the low pressure system on the East Sea, adding that 19 out of 145 boats were still in the danger zone.
In Quang Binh Province, heavy rains until Monday afternoon flooded all river systems, causing partial floods on several streets in Dong Hoi Town.
The provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Prevention warned of more flooding in the rivers of Gianh, Nhat Le and Kien Giang, and instructed district authorities to ban all boats from going offshore.
In Quang Tri Province, continuous rains over the past three days have collapsed several stretches of the Ho Chi Minh Route.
In Thua Thien-Hue Province, heavy rains have flooded the rivers of Bo, Huong and O Lau. The provincial Border Guard says they have instructed all 1,736 fishing boats to find safe places to take shelter.
Meanwhile, a tropical low pressure system is expected to reach the north-central coastline today, causing strong winds and heavy rains on its path.
The Central Hydro-meteorology Forecasting Center Monday said the low pressure system was detected 140 kilometers offshore of Ha Tinh and Quang Binh provinces.
The system is expected to move northwest by west at a speed of 5-10 kilometers per hour before reaching the north-central area and weakening to a low pressure area.
The center also warned of flash floods and landslides in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces.
Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai Monday convened an urgent meeting to cope with storm threats in central and north-central provinces.
The Central Steering Committee for Flood Control and Prevention has requested the Ministry of Defense to dispatch helicopters to central and north-central provinces to issue warnings against the low pressure system and to guide boats to shelter.
Source : Thanh Nien Daily
