Storms in the area caused damage of over 10 billion VND

According to a preliminary report on the damage caused by storms and strong winds in Lao Cai province on the night of April 30th and the early morning of May 1st, 2024, as of 10:00 AM on May 1st, 249 houses in Lao Cai province had their roofs blown off (183 houses in Van Ban district, 5 houses in Bat Xat district; 7 houses in Bao Thang district; 40 houses in Lao Cai city, and 19 houses in Sa Pa).

Of these, 1 house was completely destroyed (Lang Giang Commune, Van Ban District); 18 houses suffered 50-70% damage (Van Ban District); 56 houses suffered 30-50% damage (49 in Van Ban, 7 in Bao Thang); and 174 houses suffered less than 30% damage (40 in Lao Cai City, 110 in Van Ban, 19 in Sa Pa, 5 in Bat Xat). In addition, 12 houses had their auxiliary structures damaged.

Regarding damage to agricultural production: 29.2 hectares of corn were damaged (2 hectares in Lao Cai City, 1.2 hectares in Bao Thang district, and 26 hectares in Van Ban district). Of this, 26 hectares (Van Ban district) suffered damage exceeding 70%, and 3.2 hectares suffered damage between 50-70% (1.2 hectares in Bao Thang district and 2 hectares in Lao Cai City).

Regarding infrastructure damage: One school in Van Ban district (Hoa Mac Secondary School had its roof blown off in 6 functional rooms of the level 4 building, a 20-meter section of the school's perimeter fence collapsed, and the main doors and windows of 2 classrooms were damaged); two village cultural centers were damaged (in Van Ban district: one in Khanh Yen Ha commune and one in Son Thuy commune); one irrigation project was damaged (Chieng 1 village irrigation system, Vo Lao commune: a 6-meter section of the canal was broken); ...

Immediately after receiving the warning bulletin from the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, the Lao Cai Meteorological and Hydrological Station and the Provincial Standing Office for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue (PCTT and TKCN) forwarded the bulletin and notified districts, towns, and cities to proactively implement prevention and mitigation measures; and organized 24/7 duty shifts to receive and process information on weather developments and natural disasters in a timely manner.

The Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of districts, towns, and cities directs communes to mobilize local forces to assist households in cleaning, sanitizing, reinforcing, and repairing houses, and at the same time, clearing fallen trees to ensure safety for road users.

To date, households with less than 30% damage have basically completed repairs. Households with less than 70% damage are preparing roofing materials and repairing their houses, expected to be completed by May 1st. As for the household whose house was completely destroyed in Lang Giang commune, the commune has arranged for them to stay with relatives and is currently preparing materials to rebuild their home.

The Hoa Mac Commune Secondary School, in coordination with the local authorities, is cleaning up, reinforcing, and repairing damaged classrooms to ensure stable teaching and learning on May 2nd. Regarding the damaged corn fields, the districts are directing people to mitigate the damage, intensify care, and replant to ensure timely planting and crop yield.

According to the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, the current period is a transitional season, and extreme and unusual weather phenomena such as thunderstorms, hailstorms, and lightning strikes are very likely to occur, directly affecting people, property, and crops. The Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention in districts, towns, and cities is requested to direct communes, wards, and townships:

Strengthen guidance to the public on reinforcing and securing houses, and trimming trees that pose a risk to houses and roads in order to minimize damage caused by natural disasters.

The organization maintains a 24/7 duty roster, constantly monitoring and assessing weather conditions, promptly disseminating weather warnings and forecasts, and disaster information to the community so that people are aware and can proactively take preventive measures. Absolutely no overnight stays in fields or outdoor activities are permitted during thunderstorms, hailstorms, or lightning strikes. The organization must update and report damage information to the Standing Office of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue in a timely and proper manner.

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