Vietnam: Floods, landslides killed 12 in Khanh Hoa province

Flash floods and landslides caused by heavy rains wreak havoc in central Vietnam’s Khanh Hoa province, killing at least 12 people, an official said on Sunday.

Heavy rains flooded many streets in Nha Trang city of central Khanh Hoa province due to prolonged rains as tropical depression Toraji blew in from the South China Sea, triggering landslides that wiped out houses and destroyed a small reservoir, the official said.

“At least a dozen people have been killed so far while a search was ongoing for several others,” AFP quoted official from the provincial disaster office.

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“We have mobilised hundreds of army troops to help people restore lives and clean up damaged roads,” the official said.

According to official report, the main highway linking north and south Vietnam were temporarily cut-off and some railway routes were interrupted, while main streets heading to the Cam Ranh international airport were inundated by flood water causing traffic congestion.

Moreover, images on state media showed destroyed houses buried under debris and vehicles submerged in floods.

Panicked residents were reported to have run for safety from their homes as landslides rumbled down nearby mountains.

“We ran away after hearing the huge sound of fallen rocks... When we returned a few hours later, all our houses were destroyed,” locals told the reporters.

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Khanh Hoa province, which lies along the coastline of south-central Vietnam, is mostly mountainous. With more than 200 islands of various sizes, Khanh Hoa Sea in the province is considered to be the deepest sea in the country with a coastline spanning over a length of 200 km.

It may also be recalled that Khanh Hoa was ravaged by typhoon Damrey last year, which killed 27 people.

In 2017, 389 people were reported dead in natural disasters, causing damage worth $2.6 billion, according to official figures.

(With PTI inputs)