ignificant damage was reported in the northern mountainous provinces of Cao Bằng, Bắc Kạn and Lào Cai following heavy rain and thunderstorms from Wednesday evening until Thursday morning.
In Cao Bằng, the roofs were blown off of approximately 800 houses and several public structures including schools, local cultural houses and storage rooms.
Torrential rain and storms also damaged more than 280 hectares of corn, 30 hectares of tobacco plants and nearly one hectare of acacia and bamboo trees in the province.
More than 240 houses in Bắc Kạn Province also lost their roofs, while 71.8 hectares of corn crops were destroyed. Preliminary estimates of damage are at around VNĐ2 billion (US$78,700).
Around 113 houses in Lào Cai Province suffered from damage of between 30 to 70 per cent, according to local authorities.
Approximately 43.1 hectares of crops in the locality were affected, while an essential oil distillery in Xuân Hòa Commune and Tân Tiến Commune People’s Committee lost parts of their roofs.
Damage is estimated at around VNĐ2.8 billion ($110,200).
Local authorities have set up response teams around the clock and guide people to reinforce their homes to minimise the damage caused by heavy rain and storms. — VNS
