At least 140 dead or missing in Vietnam floods

The death toll from floods and landslides in northern Vietnam rose to 93 after 31 more bodies were recovered, officials said Sunday. At least 47 others were reported missing.

Eleven more bodies were recovered in the worst-hit province of Lao Cai, bringing the death toll there to 36, said disaster official Pham Van Toan.

Eight more bodies were discovered in neighbouring Yen Bai province, and two more bodies were found in Phu Tho and Bac Kan provinces, officials said.

Flash floods and landslides also claimed at least nine lives in Ha Giang province, raising the overall death toll to 93, said provincial disaster official Hoang Manh Hung.

“The water is receding but very slowly,” said Luong Tuan Anh of Yen Bai province, where 33 people died. “Many villages remain unreachable by car.”

Dozens of people were injured.

“We expect the death toll to rise because rescue workers have just begun to reach affected areas, where communication was very limited,” he said.

Floods and landslides brought by Tropical Storm Kammuri have battered the region since Friday night.

Authorities were rushing aid to people in the affected areas.

“We have mobilised militiamen and soldiers to rush food aid to people,” Toan said.

Rampaging waters have also knocked down trees, electricity pylons and washed away houses. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate to higher ground.

Vietnam is prone to floods and storms that kill hundreds of people each year.

 

Category: Society