Mekong Delta flood death toll reaches 18

MEKONG DELTA — Ongoing flooding in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta has claimed the lives of 15 children and three adults, announced the National Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control.

Thus far, 50,700 houses have been submerged in flood water and nearly 10,000ha of crop land inundated.

The National Hydro-Meteorology Forecast Centre predicted that excessive rain coupled with tidal surges would continue to cause areas in Dong Thap Muoi, the low-lying part of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta, and within the Long Xuyen Quadrangle to continue to rise gradually and remain at high levels until the end of the month.

The centre emphasised residents should be prepared for more heavy flooding in these areas.

Local authorities in the region continue their efforts to consolidate dyke systems and evacuate residents from areas prone to landslides.

The Vietnamese Fatherland Front announced yesterday that it would transfer relief funding to eight delta provinces affected by the record-setting floods. The funding varied from VND200 million (US$9,600) to VND1 billion ($481,000) for each province.

Money will be used to aid families who have lost family members or are dealing with injuries due to the flooding, or those whose houses have collapsed or been swept away. — VNS

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