Flash floods triggered by record-setting rains in the north-easterncoastal province of Quang Ninh has left 12 people dead or missing,according to the provincial Steering Board for Flood and StormPrevention, Search and Rescue.

As of July 28, 828.1 millimetresof rainfall was recorded in Cam Pha city’s Cua Ong ward, 796.7millimetres in Co To Island, 587.8 millimetres in Hai Ha district’sQuang Ha commune and 580.9 millimetres in Ha Long city’s Bai Chay.

Therains also caused substantial property damage, estimated at 200 billionVND (9.3 million USD). Eight houses collapsed, 2,835 other houses wereflooded and 143 hectares of rice and crop cultivation areas wereinundated.

Van Don district experienced the worst damage in theprovince, with 880 fishery cages and the Long Dinh reservoir beingdestroyed.

As pouring rains are forecast till the end of July,the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee has asked relevantagencies and organisations to improve reservoir management whilecoordinating with localities to repair the damage.

NguyenVan Doc, Secretary of the provincial Party’s Committee, requestedlocalities deal with the flood’s severe consequences and provide urgentsupport for local households.

According to theNational Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, a low pressuretrough crossing the north of Vietnam has caused torrential rains with anaverage rainfall of between 30-60 millimetres since July 25.

The centre predicted prolonged heavy rainsin the region and warned northeast provinces like Quang Ninh, Cao Bang,Lang Son, Bac Kan and Bac Giang of flash floods and landslides.-VNA