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Viet Nam

Vietnam: Immediate report on flood and rain in the central provinces and activities in response 04 Dec 1999

1. The Synopsis of Flood and Rain:
Due to effect of cold air (in combination with Tropical Depression), during period from 01 December 1999 to 03 December 1999, there were medium-to-heavy rains, and heavy rains in Thua Thien Hue Province. More details are as follows:

In Thua Thien Hue Province : At 07:00 AM 04 December 1999, the flood water level on the Huong River at Hue was at 4.00 m (1.00 m above Alarm Level III); the flood water level on the Bo River at the Phu Oc gauging station was at 4.70 m (0.20 m above Alarm Level III); the flood water level on the Vu Gia River at the Ai Nghia gauging station was at 10 m (close to the highest flood level in early November 1999); the flood water level on the Thu Bon River at the Cau Lau gauging station was at 4.5 m (0.80 m above Alarm Level III); the flood water level on the Ve River at the Ve gauging station was at 5.80 m (1.70 m above Alarm Level III); the flood water level on the Tra Khuc River at the Tra Khuc gauging station was at 8.00 m (2.3 m above the historical flood level in 1964); the flood water level on the Kon River at the Thach Hoa gauging station was at 8.20 m (0.7m above Alarm Level III); the flood water level on the Cai Ninh Hoa River at the Ninh Hoa gauging station was at 6.20 m (1.20 m above Alarm Level III).

2. Data on flood damage: According to Provincial Reports as of 24:00 AM 03 December 1999
Number of people killed: 9 persons (including 2 persons in Quang Nam Province, 4 persons in Binh Dinh Province,

2 persons in Phu Yen Province, and 1 person in Khanh Hoa Province)

Number of people missing:1 person (Phu Yen Province)

Many portions of the 1A National Highway are flooded, notably 0.6-1.0 m flooded in Phong Dien (Hue) and 1 m flooded in Hoai Nhon (Binh Dinh Province). There were also road eroded in the road sections of K1359 +800, K1359+950, and K1362+300; the temporary bridge on the Hai Van Pass has been affected resulted in traffic blocks during period from 16:00 on 03 December 1999 to 22:00 on the same day.

Many inter-provincial roads were damaged. Many houses were flooded and inundated. Tens thousand hectares of the Winter-Spring paddy were washed away by floods.

3.The Preparedness Activities to Prevent Flood - Rain:.

- In the afternoon of 03 December 1999, The Prime Minister issued Official Telegram No. 1275/CP-NN to request the Provincial People's Committees of provinces from Thua Thien Hue to Khanh Hoa and all related branches to : implement the plans for coping with floods; timely and effectively help protect and rescue local people; and be ready to cope with every situations of floods to minimize flood damages.
- The CCFSC sent Official Telegrams Nos. 42 CD/PCLB, 47 CD/PCLB, and 49 CD/PCLB to Provincial Committees for Flood and Storm Control in the provinces from Thua Thien Hue to Khanh Hoa to direct for flood prevention.
- Ministry of Fishery has sent Official Telegrams Nos. 45, 46, 47, and 48 to request the Provincial Fishery Services to protect people, boats and ships, and materials.
- Ministry of Transportation and Communication has assigned officials to flood affected areas to inspect and assist in the restoration.
- Leaders of the Provincial People's Committees have inspected flood affected areas to direct to rescue people and to protect reservoirs (such as in Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, and Khanh Hoa Provinces).

- The CCFSC in coordination with Ministry of Defense, with great efforts, has mobilised helicopters and life-buoys to help Quang Ngai Province.
- Early morning of 04 December 1999, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development appointed a delegation, including 2 leaders of relevant Departments, headed by a Vice Minister coming to the Central Provinces to coordinate with the Provincial People's Committees to cope with floods as well as to protect dams and reservoirs.

IV. Immediate works to be implemented:

1. Continue to direct local authorities in mobilising local forces to rescue people in severely flooded areas; and to request the Ministry of Defence to mobilise helicopters and life-buoys to provide Quang Ngai Province.
2. Continue to direct in implementing the plans for ensuring the safety of reservoirs.
3. Request the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to direct in repairing roads damaged by floods.
4. Request the Ministry of Police to continue in directing local forces to ensure the security in flood affected areas.