Flash floods claim 2 lives in mountain localities

• Vicente dissipates, heavy rains expected 

Water levels are rising up in Lao Cai province as a consequence of torrential rains (Photo:laocai)

Tropical storm Vicente, though being downgraded to a low pressure system, brought continuous rains to highland provinces, especially Son La, Ha Giang, Dien Bien and Lao Cai.

Flash floods, caused by the lashing rains, washed away an 8-year-old boy in Son La, another boy in Lai Chau, and an adult in Lao Cai.

Three others remain missing in Ha Giang and Lao Cai, according to initial reports from the Flood and Storm Control Committees of these provinces.

Flash floods also washed away dozens of houses and destroyed thousands of hectares of agricultural crops in the aforementioned localities.

Heavy downpours triggered rocks and mud to fall down, blocking traffic on provincial roads in Son La, Lao Cai, and Dien Bien.   

Local authorities asked local people in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground.

Northern mountain provinces have been warned of further flash floods and landslides as torrential rains are forecast to last in a couple of days.