Downpours in Vietnam's central provinces and cities will still be heavier in the following few days, said Deputy Chief of the Office of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control Pham Duc Luan.

He said on October 11 that prolonged downpours and landslides in the past few days caused great damage to the central region. "After the rains come flash floods and landslides, there have been many cases of people being swept away by floods while crossing overflowing underpasses and flooded roads," Luan said.

At least one person died, and two others were missing due to flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains in central Vietnam, according to a committee report.

In Quang Nam Province, a 37-year-old woman was swept away by floodwaters in Nui Thanh District on October 10. Her body was found later. Authorities in the province's Tam Ky City said they are searching for a man who was reported missing on the evening of the same day.

A house was severely damaged by heavy rain and thunderstorms in Quang Ngai Province. Photo: Hai Phong/ The Hanoi Times

Quang Nam province has been submerged under water due to more than 640 mm of rainfall. Neighboring Quang Ngai province has also suffered a heavy downpour with rainfall of at least 560 mm in the past two days, causing flooding in the mountainous districts of Son Ha and Tra Bong, with roads and bridges under about one meter of water.

Besides, a landslide occurred at the Ka Tinh hydropower plant in Tra Bong District at 6:30 this morning, leaving a worker missing. Local authorities are searching for him.

The heavy rains have also flooded more than 1,000 houses; blown the roof off 21 others. Most are located in Hoi An City and the Dien Ban District of Quang Nam Province.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the heavy rains have been caused by a combination of the northeast monsoon and a cold spell from the north.

The center forecasts that on October 11, the water level in rivers downstream from Thua Thien Hue to Quang Ngai will reach a peak of 9.0m. The flood crest of Thu Bon River will reach 4.1m. More flash floods and landslides are expected, he warned.

Facing the serious impacts of flash floods and landslides, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked Chairpersons of the People's Committees of provinces and cities from Quang Binh to Phu Yen to focus on coping with the natural disasters.

Provinces and central cities must closely monitor the weather to proactively respond to all situations and minimize the damage caused by natural disasters.