Torrential rains trigger flooding, disrupting life in central Vietnam

[ASEAN NOW News]

Heavy rainfall has caused rivers to overflow, turned streets into streams and upturned daily life in several central Vietnam localities over the weekend according to reports by VN Express.

 

Hoai River in Hoi An Town (VN Express)

 

Streets along the iconic Hoai River in Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province have been submerged 20-50 cm deep in floodwaters. Quang Nam has recorded rainfall of up to 305 mm since Saturday. Rainfall of 180 mm a day is considered heavy.

 

(VN Express)

A combination of cold spell, tropical convergence, and windward terrain of the Truong Son mountain range has caused torrential rains in the central region since Saturday.

 

 

In the mountainous district of Phuoc Son, Quang Nam Province, rising water levels in rivers and streams has worsened the flooding. A road going through Phuoc Thanh Commune is under of 40 cm of water.

"Local authorities have put up ropes and barricades to prevent vehicles from passing through this area," said Ho Van Phuc, Chairman of Phuoc Thanh Commune.

(VN Express)

 

At 10 a.m. Sunday, the Dak Mi hydropower plant in Phuoc Son District recorded inflows of 5,183 cubic meters per second (cms), and the dam operator decided to discharge 2,373 cms of water. It is forecast that in the next 24 - 48 hours, Quang Nam will continue receiving heavy rainfall of up to 300 mm.

 

(VN Express)

 

Residents push their broken-down motorbikes on a flooded section of 1A Highway in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue. The province has recorded rainfall of over 400 mm over the past 24 hours.

 

Dragon boats usually used to transport tourists on the Huong (Perfume) River and to visit the famous Thien Mu Pagoda have been tethered to old, strong trees at the Thuong Bac Park.

Heavy rains and flows from upstream areas have caused the water level of rivers in Thua Thien Hue to rise rapidly, leaving several residential areas submerged.

 

A high school yard in Ha Tinh is flooded, forcing teachers to move teaching equipment to safe areas.

Five Missing

 

At least five people, two each in Nghe An and Thua Thien Hue and one in Quang Tri have been reported missing since Saturday.

The national weather forecasting agency has said that central provinces from Ha Tinh to Thua Thien-Hue could experience heavy rainfall of up to 500 mm until Monday.

 

Heavy rains have also drenched many cities in Thailand.