5 dead, 6 injured due to serious flooding in northern Vietnamese province

The incessant rains have been the heaviest during the past 40 years in the province, the local meteorology agency said.

Of the dead victims, three came from a family in Cam Pha City, including a 27-year-old woman and her two children, seven and four years old.

They drowned in floodwaters that submerged their house.

The two others – a woman and her little child – were from another family of nine members whose house collapsed during a torrential rain in Cao Thang Ward, Ha Long City early this morning.

Locals use a boat to carry assets through a submerged area in Quang Ninh Province. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Rescuers are searching for the seven others under the debris.

Over the past two days, floodwaters have deeply submerged many localities and caused landslides in many others, with numerous houses collapsing or damaged, authorities said.

Heavy rains continued in many areas in the province this morning, while rainwater flooded many routes in Ha Long and on National Highway 18, with a lot of vehicles breaking down, Tuoi Tre (Youth) correspondents reported from the sites.

The Ha Long authorities have evacuated people living in seriously inundated areas to safe places.

A heavily inundated area in Mong Duong Ward in Cam Pha City, Quang Ninh Province. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Meanwhile, landslides have occurred in a number of residential areas in Cao Xanh, Cao Thang and Bai Chay Wards, threatening the safety of local residents.

The disaster has affected thousands of families throughout Quang Ninh, destroying many traffic infrastructure works and ruining large areas of crops.

Despite torrential rains, many people tried to go to large markets such as Ha Long and Sa To in order to buy food for reserving.

In Ha Long and Cam Pha and Van Don District, heavy rains lasted from 10:00 pm on Monday to at least Tuesday afternoon, with a total rainfall of about 750mm, authorities said.

Landslides occur in an area in Quang Ninh Province. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Traffic has been blocked totally in Ha Long and Cam Pha, while many houses were submerged up to their roofs.

Around 1,500 tourists were stranded on Co To Island, off the province, on Monday as the popular tourist destination was hit by the prolonged downpours.

The vacationers, who arrived on the island for weekend holidays, were unable to return to shore as no boats were allowed to operate during the severe weather.

The transportation of food from the mainland to the island was also disrupted by the heavy rains.

A submerged area in Cam Pha City, Quang Ninh Province. Photo:Tuoi Tre

However, authorities on the island asserted that there is enough food in reserve for these tourists for the next couple of days.

Secretary of the Quang Ninh Party Committee Nguyen Van Doc this morning called all agencies concerned to focus all their time and resources on helping people deal with consequences of the disaster.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Long has reported the serious situation to Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai and some central agencies, asking for urgent help in coping with flooding and landslides.

A landslide on a hill in Ha Long City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Thus far, the disaster has caused damage estimated at over VND500 billion (US$22.9 million), the People’s Committee said.

This morning, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung issued a dispatch urging competent agencies to supply help to flood victims in Quang Ninh.

The premier also extended his deep condolences to the families of those who have died in the calamity.