Yen Bai (VNA) – The northernmountainous province of Yen Bai has mobilised over 4,000 people, including armysoldiers, police, militias and local residents, in search for missing peopleafter a severe flash flood swept through the province on October 11.

The historic flood sent massivemudslides into large areas in districts of Tram Tau, Van Chan and Van Yen andNghia Lo township, causing heavy losses of life and property.

According to the provincial SteeringCommittee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, the disaster claimedthe lives of 15 people and left 13 others missing and nine injured as of 20:00on October 15.

[Heavy rain, l𒁃andslide death toll rises to 72, 30 still missing]

Over 1,900 houses have been affected,including 79 collapsing or washed away and more than 1,000 other submerged. Italso destroyed over 7,300 metres of dykes, 88 irrigation systems and many roadsections while 922 hectares of rice and other crops were damaged. Economic lossin Yen Bai is estimated to exceed 500 billion VND (22 million USD).

The rescuers have dug through crushedhomes and landslide-hit areas, and searched along streams and rivers in thethree districts and township. They have also been helping the local residentscope with flood aftermaths. Dozens of excavators and trucks have been sent toclear landslide debris and fix damage in order to restore traffic.

The province decided to providehouseholds losing a family member with 10 million VND in financial aid each.Those having their homes collapsed or washed away receive 25 million VND eachwhile those with damaged houses with 10 million VND each.

According to Chairman of the provincialPeople’s Committee Do Duc Duy, the province will continue evacuating familiesat areas prone to landslides and floods to safety.-VNA