Historic flooding hits western districts of Nghe An

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Heavy rainfall in Ky Son district and Laos bordering Vietnam and over August 16-17 caused water levels on the Nam Non and Nam Mo rivers to rise to historic levels. At present, 19 houses in My Ly commune are submerged in floodwaters while two households in Keng Du commune have been evacuated to safety. The road leading to Ta Ca commune is impassible due to the floodwaters.

Two bridges in Huu Lap are also underwater and flooding is forecast to increase over the next three days as the weather system dumps vast quantities of rainover Laos. The Nam Mo hydroelectric power plant has already had to discharge water, leading to more severe flooding.

Secretary of Ky Son district party committee said the district has directed communes and other forces such as border guards and police to evacuate households near Nam Mo and Nam Non Rivers to safe shelters.

Chairman of Vi Son district People’s Committee said the rising water levels have paralyzed the transport system inCon Cuong district and cut off villages in Thach Ngan commune. Serious landslides blocking National Highway 7 have caused severe traffic congestion. The district has coordinated with transport units to overcome the situation.

Nguyen Dinh Tung, Chairman of Quy Hop district People’s Committee said heavy rains have caused widespread landslides in the communes of Chau Ly, Chau Thanh and Chau Hong. Deluges have destroyed houses, many hectares of rice and subsidiary crops and submerged several bridges in the region.

In Nghia Dan district, some bridges have been submerged in floodwaters while transport roads in the communes of Nghia Hung and Nghia Thinh are also flooded.