Gia Lai: Luat Le River dike overflows, many residential areas are heavily flooded

On the morning of November 19, speaking with SGGP reporters, Mr. Vu Ngoc An, Chief of Office of the Civil Defense Command of Gia Lai province, said that prolonged heavy rain combined with floods from upstream caused many residential areas in the communes and wards of Quy Nhon Bac, Quy Nhon Dong, Tuy Phuoc, Tuy Phuoc Dong, Tuy Phuoc Bac... to be heavily flooded.

Authorities support and rescue people in heavily flooded areas. Photo: HP

On the night of November 18, heavy rain and strong floods damaged the Luat Le River dike in Tuy Phuoc commune (formerly Dieu Tri town), causing water to rush downstream, deeply inundating many residential areas.

“The roads are currently flooded more than 1 meter deep, making it very difficult to access and support people. The army and police forces are being mobilized to the maximum to rescue people in the downstream area of the broken dike,” Mr. Vu Ngoc An informed.

Armored vehicles were deployed to assist in evacuating people from heavily flooded areas in Tuy Phuoc commune. Photo: NG.DUNG

According to Mr. Vu Ngoc An, there have been no recorded human casualties but the level of flooding is “very dangerous”. In Tuy Phuoc and Tuy Phuoc Dong communes, authorities have evacuated and urgently relocated 1,000 households to safety.

Reports from localities at 7am on November 19 said that heavy rains had caused flooding in many areas in the province, with 8,355 households (35,926 people) being flooded and isolated. Some roads, traffic works and infrastructure were also eroded and damaged.

Trucks were dispatched to evacuate people in heavily flooded areas in Tuy Phuoc commune at night. Photo: NG.DUNG

Efforts to rescue people at night in heavily flooded areas downstream of Ha Thanh River. Photo: HP

Throughout the night of November 18 to the early morning of November 19, in Quy Nhon Bac Ward (Quy Nhon City), floodwaters rose rapidly, submerging all 16 neighborhoods. Forces of the Provincial Military Command, Gia Lai Provincial Police and local authorities had to wade through floodwaters, knock on every door, carry each elderly person and lead each child to safety.

A leader of the People's Committee of Quy Nhon Bac Ward said: "Heavy rain and flooding from the Ha Thanh River caused 16 neighborhoods to be deeply flooded. In particular, neighborhoods 2, 3, and 4 were isolated the earliest and most severely."

“The south of Dao Tan Street and the north of Hung Vuong Street are the deepest flooded areas. About 10,000 households are affected, the ward has evacuated more than 3,000 households; nearly 40 households in the Hon Cha landslide area have also been urgently evacuated,” he informed.

Landslide, rocks and soil flooded into residential area in Quy Nhon Nam ward

In the middle of the night, many officers and soldiers had to immerse themselves in the rushing water to rescue people. After evacuating people from the danger zone, armored vehicles were arranged to support transportation to safe shelters.

NGOC OAI

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/gia-lai-tran-de-song-luat-le-nhieu-vung-dan-cu-ngap-nang-post824233.html