Dozens killed or missing in overnight rains and floods in Northwestern provinces

• Thai Nguyen Police help examinees amid flooding
• Three-day rain in northern region, flooding feared
• Floods worldwide could double due to climate change
• Flood risks at 18 spots in Hanoi

* Yen Bai province: flashfloods made 11 missing

Heavy downpours during the night of August 2 and early morning of August 3 caused flashfloods, which sweeping away 14 houses and 11 locals, according to Deputy Chairman of the Mu Cang Chai District People’s Committee Le Trong Khang. The floods have also caused serious damages to public facilities and schools.

Immediately after receiving information, the Mu Cang Chai District Police mobilized its force for search and rescue missions.

Heavy downpours during the night of August 2 and early morning of August 3 caused flashfloods, which sweeping away 14 houses and 11 locals.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Yen Bai’s Provincial Party Committee Pham Thi Thanh Tra led a working group to Mu Cang Chai district to direct rescue missions and handle consequences of the natural disasters.

* Dien Bien province: floods caused landslides, swept away many arterial routes

Large rains in the upstream area made the Nam Nhe stream quickly rise and caused big damages to Muong Nhe district’s communes of Chung Chai, Muong Nhe, Nam Ke and Muong Toong.

Landslides due to heavy rains also badly damaged the routes connecting the district center to the communes.  Particularly, Highway 4H between the district center and Leng Su Sin and Chung Chai communes was completely paralyzed. The Highway 4H section, running through Nam La 2 hamlet, Leng Su Sin commune, had 200m of landslides hindering functional forces from entering for rescue missions.

Landslides due to heavy rains also badly damaged the routes connecting the district center to the communes.

According to incomplete statistics of the Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention of Muong Nhe district, large area of crops, wet rice fields and about 10 hectares of fishponds were completely submerged in water.

In Muong Nhe commune, 17 people's motorbikes were swept away, however, the police force in collaboration with functional units found 16 motorcycles for the local people.

Highway 4H between the district center and Leng Su Sin and Chung Chai communes was completely paralyzed.

Highway 4H between the district center and Leng Su Sin and Chung Chai communes was completely paralyzed.

In Muong Toong commune, two households had to evacuate due to landslides, while four villages, including Nga Ba, Nam Xa, Huoi Pinh, Yen villages, were completely isolated as all bridges, connecting the villages to the outside were completely destroyed.

Muong Nhe district’s communes of Chung Chai, Leng Su Sin, Sen Thuong and Sin Thau also experienced torrential rains, but, due to the damaged communications system, no information about the communes has yet been released.

The district so far has mobilized all forces and means to assist the people in overcoming consequences and evacuating their assets to safe areas. All important routes are also being repaired as most local roads are now safe for small vehicles such as motorbikes.

In Nam Po district, due to heavy rain, huge piles of landslides have blocked the roads while many houses and properties of local people were buried or washed away.

The district has issued a notice asking people and means of transport to pay attention to landslides, avoiding losses.

* Son La province: flashfloods killed 3 people, left 10 missing

The heavy rains lasting from the night of August 2 to August 3 caused floods and flashfloods that left heavy losses of human and property in Muong La district, Son La province.

According to preliminary statistics, flashfloods have seriously damaged a bridge, and destroyed 36 houses. The floods also swept away 10 people, of whom 3 were found dead; 2 found seriously injured, but the 5 remainders are still missing.

According to preliminary statistics, flashfloods have seriously damaged a bridge, and destroyed 36 houses. The floods also swept away 10 people, of whom 3 were found dead; 2 found seriously injured, but the 5 remainders are still missing.

Meanwhile, many parts of the roads in Nam Pam commune and It Ong town of the Muong La district were under submerged under water, causing traffic congestions.

The floods also destroyed local people’s assets.

Son La police force actively help people overcome flashflood’s consequences

Son La authorities mobilized hundreds of officials, soldiers, police officers and more to evacuate locals living near rivers and streams to safe areas.

Son La police force actively help people overcome flashflood’s consequences

The Son La Provincial Police also mobilized more than 400 officers and means to flooded areas to maintain security and to conduct search and rescue.

The Son La Provincial Police also mobilized more than 400 officers and means to flooded areas to maintain security and to conduct search and rescue, urgently helping people transport their family and belongings to safe areas.

To ensure safety of people and property, the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of the Son La province and functional forces were asked to be ready for search and rescue missions and disaster relief.