VN struggles with fatal flood

VGP – Over the past few days, after hitting North Việt Nam, Hurricane KAMMURI became a depression, causing heavy rains in a large area. Consequently, it has resulted in terrific floods in many mountainous provinces (Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang, Phú Thọ, Bắc Cạn and Quảng Ninh), with serious human and material damages. The Vietnamese Government, armed forces, central agencies, local authorities and people in disaster-hit areas have proactively closed rank to struggle with the calamity and reduce its consequences.

August 12, 2008 7:00 AM GMT+7

Military forces are ready to join hands to relief activities, Phú Thọ Province – Photo: VNN

By 9.00 PM (local time) of August 11, the floods in the northern mountainous provinces had caused 157 people killed and missing, 81 injured; over 18,465 houses were inundated, collapsed and damaged; around 14,088 ha of rice and crops were lost. The two worse-affected provinces are Lào Cai and Yên Bái.

In the wake of the flood, on August 11, Party General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh cabled a telegram to all heavily-damaged provinces, conveying his condolences to the victims and encouraging them to overcome the challenges.

The Party chief also suggested the Government, armed forces, central and local authorities give their priority to rescuing victims, supplying food and medicines, curing the injured people. The Party chief urged leaders of all levels in relevant bodies to arrive in the flooded areas for direct instructions and solutions. Moreover, it is necessary to design plans on rehabilitation and reconstruction, maintain communications, and prepare for the upcoming school year.

The PM also issued an urgent telegram requiring mayors of Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Phú Thọ and other disaster-hit provinces to focus on overcoming the calamity.

Essential relief goods are dispatched to people in flood-hit areas - Photo: VOV

At first, he prioritized the search for missing victims, treating the injured and assisting seriously-damaged households. In addition, accommodations and means of transport will be given to passengers, especially injured ones and foreigners, blocked by the flood. The Ministries of Transport and National Defense were ordered to mobilize their forces and vehicles to carry victims, food, clean water and medicines.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, head of the Việt Nam Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control (CSCFSC), had arrived in the inundated localities to directly lead the rescue and relief activities.

By Hương Giang