Storm Son Tinh claims 2 lives in Ha Tinh

Photo: Ha Tinh newspaper

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), after storm Son Tinh made landfall in central coastal provinces of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An on the evening of July 18, it continued to move further inland, directly affecting coastal areas from Thai Binh to Quang Binh provinces.

On the evening of July 18, a tornado triggered by the storm blew the roofs from 13 houses in Xuan Pho commune, Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh province. Soon after the incident, local authorities mobilized their forces to assist the locals whose houses were damaged.

The Ha Tinh provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control reported that two people in Huong Son district were swept away while they were fishing. By 7am on July 19, more than 6,900ha of summer-autumn paddy crops were submerged in floodwaters. Prolonged downpours over the past days have caused landslides, blocking some areas of Highway 8A.

The NCHMF said the water levels on rivers in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An are still rising. Northern delta and midland provinces will have steady and heavy rains today (July 19) due to the impact of Storm Son Tinh. Widespread rain is forecast for the northern and northwestern regions as of July 20.