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Submitted by ctv_en_4 on Thu, 08/09/2007 - 11:35
Over the past few days, heavy downpours and flooding caused by tropical storm No2 have caused great human and material losses to central provinces. According to the latest reports, the natural calamity left 36 dead and many others injured and missing.

The National Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control reported that floodwaters killed 14 in Ha Tinh, 11 in Dak Lak, six in Lam Dong, two Quang Binh, and one in Phu Yen, Gia Lai and Dak Nong.


A high rainfall of between 300 and 600mm was recorded in many places. Ha Tinh province alone has the highest rainfall, measuring 1,144mm in Huong Khe, 1,236mm in Dong Tam and 1,095mm in Minh Hoa districts.


On August 8, torrential rain and upstream flooding submerged many districts and towns in Ha Tinh province. In Huong Khe district, rising floodwaters isolated 22 of 23 communes from their neighbours. Several sections of the trans-national Ho Chi Minh Highway running through the province were inundated, causing traffic congestion.


Ha Tinh provincial authorities reported that nearly 14,000ha of the summer-autumn rice crop was deep under water. Farmers are expected to face the risk of crop failure if floodwaters do not recede in the next two days. The province dispatched 10 motorboats to provide food and drinking water for isolated households in Huong Khe and Vu Quang districts. About 100 soldiers were mobilised to evacuate local people in submerged villages to higher grounds.


In Quang Binh province, floodwaters are receding slowly and local people have not yet returned to their homes. By 23.00 on August 8, many households were still 1-1.5m deep under water. Armed forces and volunteers worked around the clock to provide timely assistance. The provincial People’s Committee decided to deliver rice, instant noodles, drinking water and other essential goods such as clothes, blankets and medicine to people in affected areas.

Severe flooding caused 11 trans-national express trains with more than 3,700 passengers on aboard to come to a halt at local stations between Quang Binh and Ha Tinh provinces. Many sections on the trans-national railway system were submerged between 0.5m and 1.6m deep in water. An official from the railway sector said that the sector began halting trans-national trains on August 8, which are expected to resume operation on the evening of August 9 if floodwaters recede. 

Heavy downpours also caused water levels in major rivers and streams in Gia Lai province to swell to the third alert level. Landslides struck Kon Chro and Iapa districts, isolating the two districts from others. Floodwaters also inundated more than 150 houses, 200ha of crops and 30 fishing ponds in Chu Prong, Ia Pa, Ayun Pa and Krooong Pa districts. A local person was washed away in Bac Bo village, Chu Prong district. The Gia Lai provincial People’s Committee asked local administrations to help people overcome the consequences of the floods and stabilise their lives.


Dak Lak is one of the hardest-hit provinces, with total losses estimated at VND450 billion. Initial reports showed that 11 were killed, nine missing and one injured. The natural calamity destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of crops, broke dams and damaged irrigation and transport systems. 

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