HaTinh (VNA) - Local authorities of central Ha Tinh province plan to evacuatemore than 45,000 residents living downstream of Ke Go reservoir as thewater level is rising.

Reservoirlevels have been almost a metre higher than normal due to prolongedtorrential rain.

Whilefacing water flow from the upstream, the Ke Go reservoir has released water at900 cu.m per second on October 19 morning.

Accordingto the provincial Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention andControl, other large reservoirs and dams like Boc Nguyen, Khe Xai, Tau Voi, ThuongSong Tri also discharged water at higher than normal levels.

Anumber of communes in Cam Xuyen, Huong Khe, Thach Ha districts and Ha Tinh cityhave been isolated due to floods. Households have been forced to move theirbelongings to elevated positions.

Asof 4am on October 19, more than 20,700 people from more than 7,100 householdsin Ha Tinh have been evacuated.

NguyenVan Sau, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Thach Ha district, said allcommunes in the district had flooded areas, causing serious traffic disruption.

ThachDai, Tan Lam Huong, Thach Vinh communes are the most affected. Local rescueteams have worked around the clock, helping villagers. The district hasevacuated more than 6,600 people.

Streetsin Ha Tinh city are also flooded with water reaching up to 1m. All dailyactivities have been disrupted.

Torrentialrain is predicted to continue in Ha Tinh province so more people are expectedto be relocated./.