Two dead, dozen go missing due to storm Wipha

Landslide occurs in a road in Muong Lat border district of Thanh Hoa province. Photo: VNA

In Thanh Hoa, the dead victim was in Muong Lat district, while 13 missing people were from Xa Na village in Na Meo commune, Quan Son district.

Pham Van Tieu, Chairman of Na Meo commune’s People’s Committee, said five villages in the commune have been isolated after the floods, posing difficulties to rescue efforts.

More than 294,000 families suffered blackouts as power went out in northern localities of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Bac Giang, Hung Yen and Hanoi on August 3 due to storm Wipha, which landed in Quang Ninh on August 2 evening.

Power was restored later the same day, except for some offshore areas, said deputy general director of Vietnam Electricity (EVN) Ngo Son Hai.

The EVN’s affiliates have sent workers to repair power lines in areas affected by the storm.

Storm Wipha, the third tropical storm to hit Vietnam this year, made landfall in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh on August 2 night and has weaken to a tropical depression, delivering drenching rains and strong gusts to northern and north-central localities.

Rainfall was measured at reach 209mm in Mong Cai, Quang Ninh, and 165mm in Mau Son, Lang Son province.

The depression is forecast to move in the west and southwest direction at the speed of 10km per hour and continue to weaken when it reaches the south of northern delta.

The centre warned that localities from the northern region to central province of Thanh Hoa, especially uplands areas, stand high risks of floods, flash floods and landslides./.

VNF/VNA