Heavy rains hit northern localities, flooding many areas

Prolonged downpours caused traffic jam on Vĩnh Tuy Bridge in Hà Nội on Tuesday morning. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Heavy rain has plagued the northern and northern-central regions over the past few days, seriously flooding many areas and killing at least one person.

Lâm Đình Hiệp, 37, from Hàm Yên District of mountainous Tuyên Quang Province, died after a landslide triggered by the storm buried his house on Tuesday morning.

Downpours, measuring up to 200mm per hour, also injured two other people in the province’s Yên Sơn District.

Provincial authorities reported that 37 houses were damaged; nearly 1,000ha of rice and crops were flooded; and almost 600 animals and fowls were killed. Heavy rains also flooded many roads and schools. Total property loss is estimated at over VNĐ3.7 billion (US$160,000).

Rain caused the water level of many rivers in the province to rise sharply. The water level of Lô River in Tuyên Quang city increased to 21m.

The authorities have asked departments and agencies to proactively take measures to prevent further damage and help locals to recover from the consequences.

In Hà Nội, heavy rain flooded many areas, causing traffic congestion for hours on Tuesday morning.

Rain was measured at 40-150mm per hour, according to the Hà Nội Sewage and Drainage Company. Water levels in rivers of the capital city increased, affecting the rainwater drainage. The water level of Tô Lịch river was measured at 4.38m on Tuesday morning, Lừ river (4.08m), Cầu Bây river (4.16m) and Nhuệ river (5.39m).

The company’s Deputy Director-General, Nguyễn Việt Hương, said it assigned workers to flooded areas to help guide traffic and set up warning signs to help people avoid dangerous areas as well as remove rubbish and operate pumping stations to improve water drainage.

Bắc Ninh Province experienced flooding of up to 0.8m in many areas due to downpours.

In Điện Biên Province, landslides occurred along some sections of Tây Trang Ppass of National Highway 279 on the way to Tây Trang International Border Gate, blocking traffic.

The National Hydrometeorological Foreacast Centre said heavy rain hit many localities and warned of possible floods and landslides, particularly in Lai Châu, Sơn La, Điện Biên, Hòa Bình, Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Phú Thọ, Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang, Bắc Kạn, Vĩnh Phúc, Thái Nguyên, Cao Bằng, Lạng Sơn, Thanh Hóa and Nghệ An.

In some localities, like Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang, Cao Bằng, Bắc Kạn, Vĩnh Phúc, Thái Nguyên, Hòa Bình and Thanh Hóa, the rainfall was measured up to 100-130mm.

Large-scale downpours in the north and northern-central regions are expected to reduce from Wednesday, according to the centre. However, it is forecast to continue hitting northern mountainous provinces in the next few days. — VNS