VNA/VN: FLOODING BATTER SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL PROVINCES

[Dao Van <daotb@yahoo.com>]

FLOODING BATTER SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL PROVINCES

Ha Noi, Oct.  17 (VNA) -- Wild and wet weather caused problems in
southern and central Viet Nam last week, reinforcing the need for
authorities in these areas to prepare for this year's flooding season. 

In the past, southern areas of Viet Nam generally did not have to cope
with this kind of flooding.  However, in recent years, La Nina-related
weather patterns have dumped heavy rain on areas of the country that
have not previously had to dealt with tropical-storm related problems. 

Meanwhile, a low pressure system moved from east to west in coastal
areas, resulting in heavy rainfall in most southern provinces.  On Oct. 
13 and 14, rain measured 89 mm in Can Tho province, 80 mm in Ben Trai
district of Ben Tre province, 73 mm in Go Dau district of Tay Ninh
province, 63 mm in Tri Ton district of An Giang province and 64 mm in
Bac Lieu province. 

According to local authorities, four died, six were missing, 100 houses
were destroyed and 191 others had their roofs blow off after a whirlwind
hit Hong Ngu and Tan Hong districts of the southern province of Dong
Thap on Oct.  12. 

Damage was estimated at VND 600 million (more than USD 42,800), and the
storms also flooded 29 schools in Dong Thap's Hong Ngu, Tam Nong and Tan
Hong districts.  Six thousand pupils were left with nowhere to study,
but none were injured since the rainfall hit during the night. 

A flash flood hit the Krong Bong district of the central highland
province of Dac Lac, destroying 70 ha of summer-autumn rice.  An
estimated seven tonnes per ha were lost under soil from surrounding
hills. 

The deluge also flooded 80 houses, swept away 10 tonnes of coffee drying
in planters' yards, collapsed an iron bridge and destroyed a dozen km of
canal system.  Total damage was estimated at VND 1 billion (more than
USD 71,000). 

The flood prevention board of the southern province of Tay Ninh's Dau
Tieng district began carrying out measures to protect irrigation
construction. 

At 270,000 sq.  km, Dau Tieng is the country's largest reservoir.  It
can hold up to 1.5 billion cu.m of water used to irrigate 62,000 ha of
farmland and provide fresh water for local people in Tay Ninh province,
the two southern provinces of Binh Duong and Long An and many areas of
Ho Chi Minh City. 

Irrigation experts said that in the case of heavy rain, the reservoir
could let out water at a rate of 200 cu.m per second, causing flooding
in some neighbouring areas.--VNA




=====

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?  Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com