Last weekend, a group of Da Nang’s leaders, led by municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh visited the flood-hit northwestern provinces of Yen Bai, Lai Chau and Dien Bien. 

Vice Chairman Minh (3rd left) presenting 1 billion VND to the Yen Bai authorities …

During his meetings with representatives from the 3 provincial authorities, Vice Chairman Minh expressed his sympathy to these localities about the huge damage caused by the recent floods.  He hoped that local residents would overcome their current difficulties and soon be able to stabilise their normal lives, as well as join efforts with the authorities of their localities to fulfil their local socio-economic development tasks.

On behalf of the city leaders, Vice Chairman Minh presented 1 billion VND from the city’s Natural Disaster Prevention and Relief funds to hardest-hit flood Yen Bai Province, whilst 500 million VND each went to Lai Chau and Dien Bien provinces.

… and 500 million VND to the Lai Chau authorities

The leaders of the 3 provinces thanked the Da Nang authorities and its people for their kind support, and they all affirmed that they would do their utmost to try to deal with the aftermath of the devastating floods.

Flash floods ripped through these provinces after torrential rains lasted from 1 - 6 August.

In Yen Bai Province, 8 people are dead and 6 others are still missing after flash floods hit Mu Cang Chai District at dawn on 2 August.  In addition, 114 houses were destroyed and swept away, whilst 7 local schools, and 12 transport plus 141 irrigation systems were damaged.  On 5 August, another flash floods occurred in the province’s Van Yen and Tran Yen districts.  The disaster claimed one life and injured 4 others, as well as knocked down 3 houses, ruined 67 others and forced the evacuation of 27 families.  The total economic damages for this locality are estimated to be around 570 billion VND.

Vice Chairman Minh (3rd right) and the Dien Bien authorities

In Lai Chau Province, the devastating floods caused 9 deaths, forced the evacuation of 67 families and destroyed 387 houses.  In addition, 7.4 hectares of agricultural land were submerged, 4 hectares of fish ponds were badly damaged, hundreds of cattle across the locality were killed, and 64 local irrigation systems were damaged.   The total economic losses of the recent floods for the province are estimated to be around 105 billion VND.

In Dien Bien Province, the recent prolonged heavy rains and floods caused heavy damage to both local residents and their assets, especially those in Nam Po, Dien Bien, Muong Ang and Tuan Giao districts.  Floods killed 8 people, destroyed 315 houses, and inundated 434 hectares of rice fields, over 21 hectares of flowers and over 18 hectares of maize.  In addition, nearly 70 hectares of shrimp breeding areas and a medical station were damaged.  The floods caused an estimated 123 billion VND in total damage.