Flash floods, landslides kill eight in northern Vietnam

Agence France-Presse

Flash floods and landslides have killed at least eight people across northern Vietnam, disaster officials said Monday.

After months of prolonged heatwaves and drought, heavy downpours that began at the beginning of August have damaged hundreds of homes and destroyed crops.

Eight people, including at least two children, were killed last week across the northern mountainous provinces of Yen Bai, Lai Chau, Son La, and Thai Nguyen, the Hanoi-based disaster control authority said in an online report.

State media published pictures of houses collapsing into muddy water and roads blocked or split by soil and fallen trees.

Access to some mountainous ethnic communities have been cut off.

Landslides have also hit central parts of the country.

In the town of Dalat in the Central Highlands, three policemen and one civilian were killed when a police station was buried by falling soil in July.

The Central Highlands and southern Vietnam have seen 5-10% more rain than usual since the rainy season began in May, according to authorities.

In northern Vietnam, record high temperatures and an unprecedented drought in May and June caused rolling blackouts and sudden power outages leading to serious losses among local firms and foreign manufacturers.

Crops were also badly affected.

Last year, natural disasters killed 175 people in Vietnam.

Scientists have warned extreme weather is being intensified by global warming. – gb

Popular

Palace slams attempt against NegOr contractor, vows to dismantle espionage networks

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet Amid consecutive developments arising from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s revelation of ‘ghost’ and anomalous flood control projects in his 4th...

Student Beep card with 50% discount available starting Sept. 1 —DOTr

By Brian Campued The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to roll out white and personalized Beep cards to make commuting more convenient and more...

Palace: China cannot stop PH from asserting its territorial rights

By Brian Campued Malacañang on Friday reiterated that the Philippines will not be deterred in its efforts to defend its territorial and maritime interests in...

D.A. brings P20 rice to fisherfolk; affordable rice for jeepney, tricycle drivers soon

By Brian Campued As part of the continuous expansion of the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” Program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to various...