Storm Bebinca takes toll on northern, north central regions

At least six people have died and two others remain unaccounted for after storm Bebinca swept through the northern and north central regions of Vietnam in the early hours of August 17.

A road is damaged after heavy rain in Muong Lat district, Thanh Hoa province. (Photo: VNA)

Four of the deaths occurred in the north central province of Nghe An, while the northern mountainous province of Son La and the north central province of Thanh Hoa each recorded one death. Son La and Nghe An reported two missing as of the end of August 17, according the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

More than 20 houses have collapsed, 1,200 others are flooded, and 200 families have been evacuated as a result of flooding in Son La, Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces.

The natural disaster swept away almost 7,400 head of livestock in Nghe An and affected more than 720ha of aquaculture in the localities.

Landslides on several stretches of national highways and local roads have blocked transport routes in Son La, Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An.

In Nghe An province, water levels on local rivers rose quickly, rapidly flooding Quy Hop, Con Cuong, Tuong Duong, Que Phong and Ky Son districts.

“The inundation is more severe than in previous storms,” said Vo Sy Son, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quy Hop district.

Widespread flooding and landslides occurred in Chau Ly, Chau Thanh and Chau Hong communes, isolating many villages in these areas. Particularly, spillways in Chau Ly commune were all flooded, totally blocking off the nearby villages.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Nghe An province received up to 280mm of rain.

Meanwhile, the districts of Lang Chanh and Ba Thuoc in Thanh Hoa province have been put on high alert for flash floods and landslides.

Downpours have also reportedly hit the northern provinces of Lang Son, Hoa Binh and Yen Bai. The districts of Cao Loc, Loc Binh and Chi Lang in Lang Son; Van Chan, Tram Tau, Nghia Lo and Mu Cang Chai in Yen Bai; and Da Bac, Mai Chau and Lac Thuy in Hoa Binh are all at a high risk of landslides and flash floods./.

VNF/VNA