Vietnam – Further Flooding in Central Provinces Leaves 2 Dead and Thousands of Homes Damaged

Central provinces in Vietnam have been hit by further flooding for the second time in 2 weeks.

Flooding is currently affecting the provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Trị and Quang Binh, where two fatalities have been reported.

Local media report that around 4,000 homes have been flooded in three affected districts of Quang Binh. Flooding in 5 districts of Ha Tinh has damaged 2,700 homes and 2,000 homes have been damaged in Quang Trị.

Over 80 schools and colleges have been closed in Ha Tinh province, leaving around 30,000 students without education.

Vietnam’s Disaster Management Committee (DMC) reports that hundred of households have been cut off by flooding in Quang Binh and that people had to climb on rooftops to escape the flood waters in parts of Huong Khe district, Ha Tinh province.

These provinces have barely recovered from the severe flooding just two weeks ago, when Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue were affected by torrential rain from 13 October, 2016. As many as 35 people died and tens of thousands were displaced.

Affected Areas

the National Centre for Meteorology and Hydrology Forecast says that flooding has been reported in the districts of Huong Son, Huong Khe and Vu Quang, Cam Xuyen, Duc Tho in Ha Tinh province; Minh Hoa and Tuyen Hoa, Bo Trach, Quang Trach and Ba Don Town, Le Thuy districts in Quang Binh; and Cam Lo district in Quang Tri.

Rainfall

Several locations have seen as much rain in the last 3 days as they would normally see for the whole of November.

DMC reports that areas in Ha Tinh and Quang Tri recorded around 350mm of rain. In Ky Anh district of Ha Tinh Province, 474mm of rain has fallen in 3 days (30 October to 01 November).

In a 24 hour period between 31 October and 01 November, Dong Hoi recorded 129.6 mm of rain, and Da Nang 81.1 mm. According to WMO, the average November rainfall for Da Nanag is 366 mm.

Between 01 and 02 November, Nha Trang saw 50 mm and Quy Nhon 63 mm of rain in a 24 hour period.

Forecast

The latest forecast report by the National Centre for Meteorology and Hydrology Forecast says that country can expect 3 more days of rain. The centre has warned of a flood risk in the central provinces from Quang Trị to Phu Yen.

The centre has also forecast higher levels for the Ngan Sau and Ngan Pho rivers in Ha Tinh, the Gianh and Kien Giang rivers in Quang Binh, and the Thạch Han river in Quang Trị.