Since yesterday afternoon, the upstream area of Song Long Song reservoir experienced heavy rainfall, causing the water flow into Song Long Song reservoir to increase significantly. Last night and early this morning, Binh Thuan Irrigation Works One Member Limited Liability Company - Tuy Phong Branch announced a flood discharge rate of up to 1,200 cubic meters per second.

Authorities evacuate residents in Phuoc The village, Lien Huong commune from the flooded area this morning. *Photo: Long Huong*

According to Nguyen Truong Sa, Chairman of Lien Huong Commune People's Committee, the floodwaters caused widespread inundation and property damage in the downstream area of Song Long Song reservoir, encompassing the former Phu Lac and Phuoc The communes.

In the area near the river mouth, specifically Phuoc The villages 1 and 2, over 1,000 households were submerged under 1 to 1,5 meters of water. Sa stated that preparations began last night, and as soon as the floodwaters arrived, the commune's local forces assisted in urgently evacuating residents to safe areas.

This morning, at Lien Huong estuary, the torrential floodwaters that surged since last night caused severe damage to local fishermen's boats anchored within the river mouth.

Anchored fishing boats swept away by floodwaters, breaking their ropes and drifting out to sea. *Video: Long Huong*

Authorities recorded 13 fishing boats submerged by the strong currents, and 25 boats broke their anchors, drifting out to the estuary. Fishermen and authorities were largely helpless due to the overwhelming volume of floodwaters.

Additionally, over 100 hectares of agricultural land on both banks of the Song Long Song River were submerged under more than 1,5 meters of water, and some livestock were swept away by the floodwaters. Initial estimated total damages exceed 30 billion VND.

This afternoon, Lien Huong commune leaders announced that after the Song Long Song reservoir adjusted its flood discharge to 200 cubic meters per second, the floodwaters are gradually receding.

Beyond the Tuy Phong area, last night and this morning, many communes in Bac Binh and Ham Thuan Bac districts (Binh Thuan province) also experienced flooding due to prolonged heavy rain combined with flood releases from the Song Luy and Song Quao irrigation systems. Several sections of National Highway 1 in the area were locally submerged.

Viet Quoc