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Viet Nam: Floods - Aug 1999

Disaster description

The Disaster Management Unit (DMU) of the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator reports that the rapid rise of the water level of several rivers in the north, the centre and the south of Viet Nam, has caused serious flooding in the four Provinces of Binh Thuan, Lam Dong, Dac Lac and Dong Nai. The DMU reports that 35 people were either killed or are missing. In the four provinces, 8,464 houses have either been inundated, damaged or destroyed. About 24,000 hectares of farmland has been inundated (rice, paddy, sugar cane, maize). According to the Vietnamese News Agency, famine and epidemic diseases are likely to occur in Bin Thuan, the most affected Province. Many households have had no access to fresh water since July 30 when the local water supply system and electricity grid were completely destroyed. All wells in Tanh Linh and Duc Linh districts have been contaminated. The estimated total economic losses in all four provinces amount to more than USD 14 million. (OCHA, 4 Aug 1999)

On 12 August 1999, the Disaster Management Unit (DMU) of the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator provided an overview about the general situation, the impact and the initial national response in the four flood-affected provinces of Binh Thuan, Lam Dong, Dac Lac and Dong Nai. According to the report, 40 people were killed, 1,658 houses were destroyed and 21,377 houses have been damaged. About 20,000 hectares of paddy and crops were destroyed and 30,000 hectares have been inundated. Fisheries have also suffered substantial damage. Total losses in the sector of agriculture and fisheries amount to VND 101.7 billion (approx. USD 7.31 million). Landslides and floods have seriously affected the water distribution system. 97 bridges have either been destroyed or damaged and 28 small hydraulic power stations have been damaged. The estimated total economic losses in all four provinces amount to more than USD 19 million. (OCHA, 13 Aug 1999)

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