Casualties, missing victims from torrential rains, floods mounts to 63
According to the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, as of July 20 afternoon, the northern province of Yen Bai reported three deaths, 11 missing and seven injured cases in Van Chan, Mu Cang Chai, Tran Yen, and Van Yen districts.
More than 2,500 households in Yen Bai have been affected by heavy rains and floods, while 642 houses were seriously damaged, including 79 that were completely ruined. Another 300 families have had to evacuate.
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Meanwhile, authorities are on the search for 35 locals in Chau Binh commune, in Quy Chau district of the central province of Nghe An, who went into the jungle to harvest young bamboos but have not returned, losing contact with their families.
Son Tinh storm, the third occurring in the East Sea so far this year, directly devastated provinces from Thai Binh to Quang Binh from July 17-19. Water levels rose in the Red River, Thai Binh River, and Hoang Long River, along with other rivers from Thanh Hoa to Quang Binh causing widespread floods.
Leaders of some mountainous localities of Nghe An, which are at high risk of flashfloods and landslides, have rolled out response measures and warned locals.
As of July 19, the storm destroyed 1,000ha of farm land and industrial crops; 60ha of forest; 15,000 tonnes of salt; and 922 hectares of aquatic farms; while also damaging five schools in Nghe An.
According to Director of the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Hoang Duc Cuong, heavy rains will continue covering the northern and northern central regions until July 21. From July 23, extremely heavy rains are forecast in the northeastern region, mostly in Quang Ninh and Lang Son, which will then spread to the whole northern region from July 24-27.
