HANOI: Amid complex developments of rain and flooding, authorities in central provinces and cities are urgently implementing response measures and deploying personnel to monitor dangerous areas, safeguard people’s lives and property.
The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) said that from Monday morning till Tuesday night, the area from Hue City and Danang City to the eastern parts of Quang Ngai and Dak Lak provinces continued to experience heavy to very heavy rain, with widespread rainfall of 150–250 mm and locally over 400 mm. Thunderstorms may bring whirlwinds, lightning, hail and strong gusts of wind.
From Wednesday, heavy rain across the central area is forecast to gradually decrease. The disaster risk level from heavy rain, whirlwinds, lightning and hail is level one; however, Hue and Danang cities and eastern Quang Ngai Province are at level two.
Prolonged heavy rain poses a risk of flooding in low-lying and depressed areas, urban areas and industrial zones; flash floods on small rivers and streams; and landslides on slopes.
On the Thach Han River in Quang Tri Province, the water level is 4.16m, 0.34m below alarm level two, and is rising. The Huong River in Hue City is at 1.37m – 0.37m above alarm level one.
In the southern area, water levels in the upper reaches of the Mekong River are fluctuating with the tides. By Friday, the highest daily water level on the Tien River is forecast to be 1.95m; on the Hau River, it is forecast to be 2.05m.
The NCHMF warned that, in the coming hours, the following provinces and cities would continue to experience rain, with cumulative rainfall generally of 30–60 mm in Ha Tinh and Quang Tri and over 90mm in places; 50–90 mm in Hue, with over 150mm in places; and 40–80mm in Danang, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa, with over 100mm in places.
There is a risk of flash floods on small rivers and streams and landslides on slopes in many communes and wards, according to the NCHMF.
In Thanh Hoa Province, rain and flooding have inundated 1,577 houses in Nong Cong Commune; 230 ha of vegetables and other crops have been flooded, and 472 poultry and livestock have been swept away.
Twelve provincial road sections have been flooded, causing traffic disruption; 35 culverts on village and commune roads have been submerged.
According to a report from the Quang Tri Provincial Civil Defence Command, as of 5am on Tuesday (Nov 10), the province had experienced heavy to very heavy rain, particularly in southern areas.
Total rainfall in northern parts of the province was generally 50–160 mm, with higher amounts in some areas, including Dong Tam at 187mm and Truong Son at 247 mm. Southern areas recorded generally 100–300 mm, including Vinh O with 364mm and Huong Son with 402mm.
In Kim Ngan Commune, heavy rain caused a serious landslide on Road 9C at the km28 section. Dozens of cubic metres of soil and rock slid down, burying the road surface and causing traffic disruption.
Beyond mountainous areas, heavy rain has also caused flooding in some low-lying areas and urban areas. Local authorities prepared vehicles, equipment and essential supplies and stood ready to assist residents in deeply flooded, isolated or cut-off areas. — Vietnam News/ANN
