Heavy rains isolate mountainous areas of Quang Tri

Many mountainous areas in the central province of Quang Tri have been isolated by serious landslides following ongoing heavy rains over the last two days.

A section of National Road 9 in Dakrong has been half blocked by a landslide, causing difficulties for travellers on March 31

According to the Quang Tri Provincial Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, Search and Rescue, many areas in the province saw heavy rains during the past 24 hours with total rainfall of between 30-70mm as of 7 am on Friday. Mountainous areas reported higher rainfalls of between 60-170 mm, or even 195 mm in Dakrong District.

"Many roads in Dakrong District have been flooded, isolating several communes including Ba Long, Ta Rut, and Ta Long," the committee said. "A section of National Road 9 in Dakrong has been half blocked by a landslide, causing difficulties for travellers. Local authorities are trying to clear the road."

Quang Tri authorities are preparing to evacuate nearly 5,000 households living in vulnerable areas to safety.

The central and Central Highlands regions of Vietnam have been forecasted to witness heavy rains from March 30 to April 2.