Flood toll increases to 116 in Vietnam

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-12 09:28

HANOI -- Flash floods in some Vietnamese northern provinces caused by a storm since last Friday have killed at least 116 local people, local newspaper Young People reported Tuesday.

The flash floods and landslides had, by Monday night, claimed at least 116 lives, left a number of people missing, and injured some others, according to preliminary statistics from the provinces. Most of the victims were from the three provinces of Lao Cai, Yen Bai and Phu Tho.

Motorcyclists pass a destroyed road caused by a landslide in Vietnam's northern province of Yen Bai August 10, 2008. Flash floods and landslides brought by tropical storm Kammuri since Saturday have battered mountainous villages in northern Vietnam, killing at least 116 people and leaving 48 missing, the government said on Monday. [Agencies]

On Monday, the government has asked flood-hit provinces to continue to search for the missing people, treat the injured persons, assist families of the victims, provide residents with sufficient amounts of food, drinking water and medicines, and ensure meals and accommodations for passengers stuck in the localities due to canceled or delayed trains and coaches.

The government also required the ministries of Transport, and Defense to mobilize forces and means, including helicopters to transport sick and injured people to hospitals, and food, drinking water and medicines to flood-stricken areas.

Also on Monday, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nong Duc Manh proposed the government, armed forces, sectors and localities ensure provision of food, foodstuffs and medicines to people hit by the flashfloods and landslides, and smooth operation of communication and transport systems.