Hanoi (VNA) - Many regions across the country are expected to see heavyrains from September 13 to 23, with downpours forecast mainly during the nightand early morning, the National Hydro-meteorological Forecast Centre said.

Thecentre warned that water levels could rise by two to three metres upstream ofthe Hong (Red) – Thai Binh river system and waters could reach first warninglevel on the Chay, Thao, Lo and other rivers.

Flash floods, landslides and floods are forecast in northern mountainousprovinces, especially Lai Chau, Son La, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quangand Bac Kan.

A cold front is expected to expand in the second half of September.

From September 14 to 17, Hanoi is forecast to experience showers andthunderstorms with lightning and strong winds.

In response to the situation, the Central Steering Committee for NaturalDisaster Prevention and Control has requested steering committees for naturaldisaster prevention and control and search and rescue in northern provinces andcities, especially Thanh Hoa province, to closely monitor the situation andkeep members of the public informed.

Localadministrations have been instructed to regularly report on weatherdevelopments and damage to the Central Steering Committee.
Innorthern mountainous Ha Giang province, landslides and rocks collapsed thewall of a house in Bac Quang district on September 13, killing one person.

Accordingto statistics from the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Preventionand Control and Search and Rescue in Ha Giang province, floods and landslideshad hit from September 11 to 13 due to heavy rains, causing damage to property,crops and construction projects, causing losses of over 1.3 billion VND (56,000USD).

Le AnhDung, deputy head of the provincial irrigation sub-department, said theprovincial Steering Committee had asked district leaders tourgently overcome the consequences of natural disasters and effectivelyimplement prevention measures to minimise the damage.

Flooding caused by prolonged rains resulted in a landslide with 2,300cu.m ofrock falling onto Highway 279 in Muong Ang district, Dien Bien province, on September13 morning, blocking traffic.

InVinh Long province's Long Ho district, 12 houses collapsed and 91 houses anddozens of hectares of fruit trees were damaged by thunderstorms on September 11,causing losses of about 1.8 billion VND./.