Central region submerged after heavy rain | DTiNews - Dan Tri International, the news gateway of Vietnam

Central region submerged after heavy rain

>> One person killed, one missing in heavy rains in Hue

Heavy rain that lasted from October 12 to 14 in Ha Tinh and Quang Binh provinces have flooded thousands of houses, the main north-south rail line and killed at least three people.

According to the Vietnam Railways Corporation, the water level of the Giang River rose quickly and caused erosion at several locations along the railway. On October 14, the rain area continued to expand, bringing landslides and erosion. Parts of the railway from La Khe to Ngoc Lam stations were submerged. Dong Hoi and Le Ky stations were also submerged.

"We have stopped 10 trains from departing. 12 trains that were running had also been halted until the railway can be cleared," said a representative of Vietnam Railways.

At least three people were killed, two are missing and nine were injured in Quang Binh Province. Hundreds of households in Tuyen Hoa District were evacuated as over 3,500 houses were submerged. Bo Trach District evacuated 1,500 households.

Ba Don Town in Quang Trach has 600 houses and Minh Hoa District has over 1,000 houses submerged under up to 3 metres of water.

Transportation in Quang Binh was paralysed, especially in mountainous areas and Dong Hoi City. The Ho Chi Minh Highway and many bridges were also under water, isolating many residential areas.

In Ha Tinh Province, the water levels at Ngan Sau, Ngan Pho, La and Ca rivers have reached 8.79 metres to 15.64 metres high and keep rising. Two communes in Ky Anh District were isolated because of severe flooding and many communes were heavily flooded.

Tran Dinh Hung, head of Huong Khe District Department of Education and Training said, "We let pupils at 13 schools stay home because many schools are also submerged. Huong Do Primary School is under 2.2 metres of water. The pupils won't be able to return to schools for at least another week because Phuong Dien and Phuong My communes are heavily flooded."

Pupils in other districts including Vu Quang, Huong Son and Cam Xuyen are also told to stay home as local transportation is paralysed.