Hanoi (VNA)– Torrential rains in recent days have caused serious floods and landslides inseveral northwestern mountainous localities, causing heavy losses in both humanlife and properties.

In Son La province,floods killed one local and injured two others, while affecting 1,521 houses,including 37 completely destroyed.

Nearly 615 hectares ofrice and crop farm have been submerged in floodwater, while 11 schools in MaiSon, Van Ho, Muong La, Quynh Nhai, Song Ma and Sop Cop districts were damaged.

Floods and landslidesblocked various roads, causing 153 traffic congestion points. As many as 45irrigation works were damaged, while the power supply in 25 communes in eightdistricts was affected.

In Son La city, floodsalso blocked many roads and caused serious traffic congestion.

Meanwhile in Lao Caiprovince, downpours broke many roads and irrigation works, along with a bridgein Nam Tha commne, Van Ban district.

Eight classrooms andhouses for teachers in the pre-school and primary school in Nam Tha communewere also affected.

According to theprovincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, Searchand Rescue, 18 houses in the province were damaged, while 140 hectares of riceand dozens hectares of crop were submerged.

Dien Bien provincealso suffered from heavy losses, with 52 houses, three class rooms, nineirrigation works, four water works, and over 60 hectares of rice damaged.

Five national highwaysrunning through the province were submerged with 400 landslides sections.

A report from theSteering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, Search andRescue of Yen Bai province, as of 17:00 of August 31, one death was recorded inThach Luong commune, Van Chan district, due to flood.

Serious flood invarious localities across Yen Bai also destroyed 186 houses, 581 hectares offarm, with total losses amounting to 22 billion VND (946,000 USD).

So far, the localitiesare working hard to support affected locals and overcome the consequences ofthe disasters.-VNA