Ha Tinh to relocate 45,000 residents from flooded areas

• PM calls for greater efforts to overcome consequences of landslides in central region
• Huge efforts made to deal with natural disaster consequences

Local authorities of central Ha Tinh province plan to evacuate more than 45,000 residents living downstream of Ke Go reservoir as the water level is rising.

Reservoir levels have been almost a metre higher than normal due to prolonged torrential rain.

While facing water flow from the upstream, the Ke Go reservoir has released water at 900 cu.m per second on October 19 morning.

According to the provincial Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, other large reservoirs and dams like Boc Nguyen, Khe Xai, Tau Voi, Thuong Song Tri also discharged water at higher than normal levels.

A number of communes in Cam Xuyen, Huong Khe, Thach Ha districts and Ha Tinh city have been isolated due to floods. Households have been forced to move their belongings to elevated positions.

As of 4am on October 19, more than 20,700 people from more than 7,100 households in Ha Tinh have been evacuated.

Nguyen Van Sau, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Thach Ha district, said all communes in the district had flooded areas, causing serious traffic disruption.

Thach Dai, Tan Lam Huong, Thach Vinh communes are the most affected. Local rescue teams have worked around the clock, helping villagers. The district has evacuated more than 6,600 people.

Streets in Ha Tinh city are also flooded with water reaching up to 1m. All daily activities have been disrupted.

Torrential rain is predicted to continue in Ha Tinh province so more people are expected to be relocated.