Flashflood in Chieng So commune, Son La province (Photo: VGP)

Downpours and floods in the northern provinces over the weekend took the lives of 3 people and injured 2 others, and 3 people are missing. Severe damage to houses and crops has been reported. The Son La provincial People’s Committee has dispatched teams to communes to direct recovery efforts.

Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the Son La provincial People’s Committee, said: "Our top priority is to find all missing persons as soon as possible. Second, we must support the families who have lost their homes by providing them with temporary shelter at community houses or in army tents. We’re also providing food, drinking water, essential supplies, sanitation, and medical assistance."

The Son La Military Command has set up tents and relocated people and property to safe places. Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Quan, Deputy Commander of Defensive Zone 2, Song Ma, said: "We’re erecting tents and evacuating residents from areas prone to landslides and flash floods. We stand ready to coordinate with local authorities to protect people from any further harm."

In Dien Bien province, commune-level authorities have dispatched teams to assess damage and help aid organizations deliver relief packages of rice, clean water, and essential supplies. Damaged houses have been repaired to at least provide temporary shelter. Veterinary and agricultural officers are instructing people to disinfect livestock shelters to prevent a disease outbreak among cattle, and are assessing damaged crop areas.

Lao Cai province has mobilized 1,000 people to help residents in Cam Duong ward recover from flood damage.