Vietnamese city deploys troops, amphibious armored vehicles for flood response

The command held an emergency meeting on Thursday to implement measures for civil defense, disaster prevention and search and rescue amid worsening weather conditions, with its commander Col. Nguyen The Vinh chairing the meeting.

Under the plan, the command has established five task forces with a combined strength of nearly 130 officers and soldiers to be stationed at key locations to take charge of and coordinate emergency responses.

The task forces are stationed at Information Company 1, Infantry Regiment 30, the Tra My Commune Military Command and Infantry Regiment 885, while the fifth task force is stationed at both the Military Commands of Dien Ban Ward and Dai Loc Commune.

The city's military command has also formed three search-and-rescue teams, each comprising nearly 20 officers and soldiers and equipped with vehicles and equipment for emergency response.

In addition, two mobile command teams have been established under the direct supervision of the commander and political commissar of the municipal military command.

Amphibious armored vehicles have also been ordered to stand by for deployment to heavily flooded or isolated areas when necessary, the command said.

At the meeting, military leaders instructed agencies and units to proactively assess possible situations and maintain forces on standby in vulnerable areas, particularly areas at risk of deep flooding, flash floods, landslides and traffic disruptions.

Military units were also ordered to closely coordinate with local authorities and regularly update information on reservoir operations and water releases to prepare appropriate response measures.

Border guards were assigned to coordinate search-and-rescue operations in coastal areas.

The city's military command also required its units to report the situation every two hours and immediately report any unexpected incidents so that personnel and equipment can be mobilized promptly.

80 households evacuated amid severe flooding

Prolonged heavy rain continued to cause severe flooding in several areas of Da Nang on Thursday, particularly in Nui Thanh Commune, where many residential areas were inundated and traffic was disrupted. 

Local authorities evacuated about 80 households and moved their residents and belongings to safety.

At Binh Minh Kindergarten in Nui Thanh Commune, floodwater rose to more than one meter in some areas, prompting military, border guard and local security forces to help evacuate preschool children to safety.

The forces also helped residents move their belongings and property away from areas at risk of deeper flooding.

On Thursday morning, many areas of Da Nang experienced very heavy rain, with rainfall reaching 142 mm in Tam Tra, 117 mm in Tra Kot and 96 mm in Tien Ha, the Central Region Hydro-Meteorological Station reported.

Soil moisture in many areas had reached 80-90 percent, increasing the risk of landslides.

Rain was forecast to continue over the following period, with rainfall generally ranging from 30-50 mm and exceeding 60 mm in some areas.

The weather agency warned of the risk of flash floods, landslides and land subsidence in 47 communes and wards, with the natural disaster risk rated level 1.

Prolonged heavy rain and flooding have also caused localized traffic disruptions on roads leading to mountainous communes in Da Nang due to landslides.