On September 9, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed an official dispatch requesting ministries, branches and localities to focus on overcoming the collapse of Phong Chau bridge in Phu Tho province and responding to and overcoming the consequences of floods, landslides, flash floods in the mountainous and midland provinces of the North.
The dispatch stated that storm No. 3 caused heavy rain over a large area in the North, especially in the mountainous and midland provinces of the North, where there was rain from 200-350mm (many places 400-500mm, some places nearly 600mm), floods on Thao and Luc Nam rivers exceeded alert level 3, localized flooding and landslides occurred in many places, especially in Hoa Binh and Lao Cai.
Storms and floods left at least 26 people dead and missing (17 people due to floods and landslides; 9 people due to storms), 247 people injured, many houses and infrastructure damaged, production and business stagnated.
Notably, on the morning of September 9, the Phong Chau bridge over the Thao River in Phu Tho province collapsed. According to initial information, a number of vehicles and people fell into the river.
The Prime Minister sent his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and shared the difficulties and losses of people in the areas affected by storms and floods.
The Prime Minister requested Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc and leaders of the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Transport, and the National Committee for Incident Response, Natural Disaster Response, and Search and Rescue to immediately go to the scene to coordinate with the Secretary and Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Tho province to direct the inspection and immediate implementation of the work to overcome the collapse of Phong Chau bridge, focusing on rescue work for the victims of the bridge collapse.
The Chairmen of the People's Committees of the above-mentioned provinces continue to focus on directing and implementing drastic, timely and effective response to landslides, flash floods and inundations within their authority.
Focus on overcoming the consequences of landslides, floods, and bridge collapses: Searching for missing people; rescuing the injured; organizing visits, encouraging and supporting families of victims, ensuring people's lives according to regulations.
Carefully review, proactively evacuate and relocate residents from areas at risk of landslides, flash floods, and deep flooding to ensure people's safety.
Strictly control, guide, and support traffic safety, especially at overflowing culverts, deep flooded areas, fast-flowing water areas, and areas at risk of landslides. Resolutely do not let people pass through if safety is not ensured.
Directly review, promptly detect and avoid unexpected incidents to infrastructure works, especially traffic bridges, dams, and dikes in the area.
The Ministers of National Defense and Public Security immediately mobilized all necessary forces and means to coordinate with the People's Committee of Phu Tho province and relevant localities to urgently deploy rescue work for the victims of the Phong Chau bridge collapse.
Direct local forces to coordinate and support localities in responding to and overcoming the consequences of floods, landslides, and flash floods according to regulations.
Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang coordinated with the People's Committee of Phu Tho province and relevant agencies to carry out the work of overcoming the consequences of the collapse of Phong Chau bridge span and floods and landslides according to the assigned state management functions and authority.
