Vietnam border, seas, islands

Hanoi, August 6 (VNA) - Floods and landslides in Phong Tho district of the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau left six dead, six missing and three others injured, according to the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

From August 4-5, heavy rains inundated five houses, 2ha of aquaculture and 2ha of paddy fields in the northern province of Bac Kan, causing estimated losses of nearly 200 million VND (8,600 USD).

Rainfalls also damaged 97 houses, 30.5ha of rice, 0.3ha of vegetables and aquaculture in the northern province of Lao Cai. The total damage is estimated at roughly 2.6 billion VND.

A landslide in the northern province of Son La on August 5 also caused traffic congestion. The traffic is expected to be back to normal on August 7.

The committee asked northern mountainous provinces to continue checking areas highly prone to floods and landslides, stay ready with plans to ensure safety for local people and property as well as respond to low pressure.

They must closely track news warning floods and landslides and promptly report abnormal phenomena to authorities.

In Hanoi, it urged operating water pumping stations to ensure drainage in the outlying district of Chuong My, prepare for equipment to prevent epidemic outbreaks in affected areas, and ensure clean water supply to local people.

The provinces of Son La, Hoa Binh and Tuyen Quang were requested to ensure safety when reservoirs flush out floodwater.

The coastal cities and provinces from Quang Ninh to Khanh Hoa were assigned to closely follow the movement of low pressure in the East Sea to promptly alert captains and owners of vehicles.-VNA