Hanoi (VNA) - Torrential rains are forecast tocontinue plaguing the northern region after flooding Ha Giang, Bac Kan and TuyenQuang provinces over the past several days, affecting people’s lives andblocking traffic for hours.

The National Centre for Hydro–Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF)on September 11 announced that heavy rainfall would affect the northern region,including Hanoi, starting on September 11 night. Average rainfall will rangebetween 70 to 150mm, and reach up to 200mm in some areas.

The water level of the northern Thao River has been risingsignificantly. In the next 24 hours, the amount was forecast to increase up to30.95 metres. Landslides, gust wind, and flash floods are likely in Lai Chau,Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, and Thai Nguyenprovinces, it said.

Torrential rains in the past three days have caused chaos forresidents of Ha Giang province. In Dong Van district’s Pho Cao commune, rainssubmerged houses in Sang Pa, Suoi Thau, Ta To and Kho Chu communes.

[More floods hit northern mountainous region]

Ta Tan Hoang, deputy head of the border force of Pho Bang district,said at least ten households were inundated, forcing soldiers to evacuateresidents to safety at midnight.

In Bac Kan province, rainfall swept away crops in Cho Don district.Luong Bang, Nghia Ta, and Nam Cuong communes were among the most affected withthe loss of billions of VND.

Ha Kim Oanh, deputy director of the provincial Department ofAgriculture and Rural Development, said many parts of roads from Bac Kan cityto Cho Don district have been severely eroded.

Parts of Highway 3B were eroded on September 10, blocking trafficfor hours until excavators cleared the road.

On September 10, the Irrigation Administration asked thedepartments of agriculture and rural development in the northern region to beon duty around the clock at reservoirs to monitor water levels and assess thesafety of local residents, who would be informed if any decision were made todischarge water.-VNA