More than 200 people search for missing victims in flash floods

According to a quick report from the Standing Office of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Lao Cai province, as of 11:00 a.m. on September 13, the total damage in Van Ban and Bat Xat districts, Sa Pa town and Lao Cai city was estimated at over VND250 billion; 4 people died, 5 people were missing and 5 people were injured due to floods.

Specifically, Lien Minh commune (Sa Pa town) had 3 dead, 4 missing, 5 injured; Lang Giang commune (Van Ban district) had 1 dead; Phin Ngan commune (Bat Xat district) had 1 missing.

There were 12 houses damaged (5 houses in Van Ban district, 7 houses in Lao Cai city), of which 4 houses in Van Ban district were damaged 50 - 70%; 8 houses were damaged 30% or less (1 house in Van Ban district, 7 houses in Lao Cai city).

Regarding infrastructure, a cultural house suffered 50-70% damage in Chieng 5 village, Vo Lao commune, Van Ban district; National Highway 4D had a landslide on the positive slope in Trung Chai commune, Sa Pa town with a volume of 100m3; National Highway 279 section through Na Tiem village, Lang Giang commune was flooded under 1m, causing local traffic jam for 2 hours (the road is now open); Provincial Road 152B had a landslide on the negative slope of about 50m in Nam Cang village, Lien Minh commune, Sa Pa town.

According to Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee, the initial preliminary cause of the incident was determined to be that heavy rain in Sa Pa town caused landslides and flash floods. Just when residents were checking the cold-water fish farming area (salmon, sturgeon), the flood came quickly and people did not have time to escape.

Speaking to VietNamNet reporter, Mr. Phan Phu Seng, Chairman of Lien Minh Commune People's Committee (Sa Pa town) said that currently, more than 200 officers and soldiers from the police, army and local people have been mobilized to search for 4 missing people in the commune; at the same time, support people to overcome the consequences of the flood.

Flash floods cause loss of life and property in Lao Cai. Photo: Anh Ngoc.

After inspecting the flood area, Mr. Trinh Xuan Truong, Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee, visited and encouraged the families of those who died or went missing and directed the forces to urgently deploy search and rescue plans.

“The province assigned the provincial military command to take overall command, coordinate with local forces of the town and local people to organize the search for the missing victims. Currently, the forces are divided into 3 groups to search,” said Mr. Truong.

A working group from Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee arrived at the scene to inspect and direct the work of overcoming the consequences of the flood. Photo: Anh Ngoc.

Many houses and other properties were also severely damaged. Photo: Anh Ngoc.

Many houses and vehicles were swept away by floodwaters.

Lao Cai Department of Transport and Construction has directed road maintenance units to carry out the work of repairing and cleaning up landslides and mud on the road surface; and clearing the drainage system to ensure safety for vehicles participating in traffic.

Source