Central region battles with historic flooding

The victims include 8 in Quang Ngai, 13 in Binh Dinh, 2 in Quang Nam and 1 in Phu Yen.

Thousands of houses, offices, and schools along central region riverbanks are currently inundated.

Quang Ngai province’s flooded rivers continued rising on the evening of October 15. Officials have declared a warning alarm level three. Provincial authorities had to evacuate more than 1,000 lowland households to safer areas.

Ba Dong Village People’s Committee Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Tung said more than 300 village households have been evacuated to higher ground. Heavy rain and power outages are hampering the evacuation.

The Highway No 1 connecting Duc Pho and Mo Duc districts is submerged, causing traffic jams and stranding thousands of vehicles.

Floodwaters swept away trees, houses, and some bridges.

Ba To is one of the most seriously affected districts. Minh Ha Village residents in Ba To district said floodwaters are much higher than 1999 historic level. The district is devoting all its political resources to coping with the flooding.

*** Flooding on Highway No 615, linking Tam Ky City with Bac Tra My and Nam Tra My districts, has isolated some mountainous villages. Parts of Ho Chi Minh Highway and Highway 14E passing through Quang Nam province are damaged.

Phu Ninh Irrigation Department Director Do Van Tung warned lake and reservoir water levels would rise quickly if rain continues.

*** Rising floodwaters have submerged Binh Dinh province’s Quy Nhon City and Thuy Phuoc, Phu Ca, and An Nhon districts.

Tay An Bridge on Highway 1A was destroyed on the morning of November 16,  isolating Quy Nhon City. The sections of Highway 19 in Tay Son district were rendered impassable.

Thousands of locals climbed to the roofs of their houses, calling for help.

Hundreds have fled to temporary accommodation on the outskirts of Quy Nhon.

Floodwaters claimed three lives in Van Canh, Son Tay, and Tuy Phuoc districts.

Binh Dinh asked Military Zone Five’s High Command to dispatch rescue boats and helicopters. The Ministry of Transport is working to alleviate traffic issues.

*** Heavy rains in Phu Yen province have caused large-scale flooding across many areas. Many houses in Song Cau town were destroyed. Ky Lo River’s waters are rising quickly, flooding the lowlands of Tuy An and Dong Xuan districts.

Xuan Son Bac Village People’s Committee Vice Chairman Tran Nam Giang said authorities are moving locals to designated safe zones.

***Thua Thien-Hue province’s Huong Dien, Binh Dien, and A Luoi hydroelectric power plants are releasing water at rates from 1,800 to 2,000 cubic metres per second.

Rivers are rising and flooding lowlands. The province asked localities to keep citizens abreast of flood developments.
Some images taken in Quang Nam province: