US diplomatic mission sends condolences over flood-caused losses in central Vietnam

	Vietnamese leader extends sympathy over flooding in Cambodia
	Vietnamese air carriers transport relief goods for free to flood-stricken central region
	U.S pledges to support Vietnam tackle floods' consequences in central region

Competent forces searching for bodies of soldiers buried by landslide in Quang Tri. Photo: VNA

The US mission in Vietnam on October 19 sent the deepest condolences to the Government and people of Vietnam as they mourn tragic losses in the 337th Division, Military Region 4 in the central province of Quang Tri.

The condolences were also offered over the deaths of soldiers and officers who sacrificed their lives conducting rescue missions in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, and dozens of others who have perished as flooding and landslides continue to affect central Vietnam.

“We stand ready to assist Vietnam address the damage caused by this terrible flood and send our deepest sympathies to all affected by this tragedy,” the mission said in a statement.

The same day, Lao and Thai leaders sent their sympathies to their Vietnamese counterparts over the losses caused by the recent storms to localities in central Vietnam.

In their sympathies to Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Lao Party General Secretary and State President Bounnhang Vorachith and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith expressed their belief that under the clear-sighted leadership of the Vietnamese Party, State and Government, the fraternal Vietnamese people will overcome the current difficulties and bring their life back to normal soon.

Houses are flooded in Quang Nam province in central Vietnam, October 12, 2020. Photo: VnExpress

They also affirmed that the Lao Party, State, Government and people always stand by the side of their Vietnamese counterparts in this time of difficulties and always uphold the tradition of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The same day, Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith also cabled his sympathies to Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha sent his message of condolences to Prime Minister Phuc, and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai did the same with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh.

In their messages, the Thai leaders expressed their trust that the Vietnamese Government and people will soon overcome the challenge.

Floods, landslides take 102 lives in central Vietnam

Floodwater has reached the roofs of houses in Minh Hoa district of Quang Binh province. Photo: VNA

The number of deaths caused by flooding and landslides in central Vietnam rose to 102 October 19 night, with 26 still missing.

The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control says the three provinces with the highest loss of lives are Quang Tri with 48 people, Thua Thien-Hue with 27 and Quang Nam with 11.

As of 4 p.m. October 19, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces had 166,780 households submerged in floodwaters, and 28,900 households with 90,900 residents had been evacuated, VnExpress reported.

Water levels were rising fast in rivers flowing through Ha Tinh. At 3 p.m., the water level had gone past the highest danger Level 3 by 0.5 m at Ngan Sau River near Chu Le Train Station. Water levels at the Ngan Pho and La rivers had reached danger Level 1.

At Ke Go Reservoir in Ha Tinh, the water level had already peaked at around October 18 noon and it was currently discharging water at 940-cubic-meter per second (m3/s). The Ho Ho hydropower plant’s reservoir was discharging water at 85 m3/s and that of the Huong Son hydropower plant at 15 m3/s. Other lakes in the area were also spilling over.

Ha Tinh province has 28,418 households inundated, mainly in Ha Tinh town and Cam Xuyen, Thach Ha, Huong Khe and Loc Ha districts. Photo: VoV

Ha Tinh province has 28,418 households inundated, mainly in Ha Tinh town and Cam Xuyen, Thach Ha, Huong Khe and Loc Ha districts.

Mai Van Minh, director of Quang Binh province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said flood waters were receding quite slowly on October 19 afternoon.

"Tuyen Hoa District, the area near Gianh River, is still heavily flooded. We are focusing on relief for the people here and evacuating them according to plan," he said.

At 4 p.m., water levels in Kien Giang River in Le Thuy district exceeded flood danger Level 3 by 2.18 m, 0.97m higher than the historic flooding peak in 1979. A similar situation prevailed at Gianh River in Tuyen Hoa district.

The National Highway 1A section in Quang Binh province and one part linking to Ho Chi Minh Highway were heavily flooded.

As many as11,083 households with more than 34,000 people in Quang Tri have been evacuated. Photo: VoV

In Quang Tri province, 53,750 houses in the nine districts of Huong Hoa, Dak Rong, Cam Lo, Dong Ha, Vinh Linh, Gio Linh, Quang Tri, Trieu Phong and Hai Lang are inundated. As many as11,083 households with more than 34,000 people have been evacuated.

According to the National Centre for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, the heavy downpours are likely to continue until October 21.

Natural disasters, mostly floods and landslides triggered by storms, killed 132 people and injured 207 in Vietnam last year./.

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