The head of government made the statement during a meeting on October 24 with leaders from Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam, which have been hit hard by rains and floods since early October.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the meeting shares in the losses to flood-hit residents.

He said that it is necessary to enhance community awareness, improve forecasting capacity and mobilise the support of all in society for disaster relief.

The PM asked provincial authorities to quickly help local residents return to normal life and take action to ensure their livelihoods.

He also took the occasion to urge ministries and local authorities to rethink hydropower development and plant more forest to reduce soil erosion, while applying information technology to give early disaster warnings to the public.

Earlier in the day, PM Phuc visited a village in Quang Binh Province where he inquired after the local residents and shared in the losses caused by the historic flooding.

The PM decided to provide VND500 billion (US$21.6 million) from the central budget to five central provinces to help them cope with the consequences of disaster.

According to the national disaster management agency, rain and floods over the past few weeks have killed 119 people and left 21 missing.

Flooding also submerged over 317,000 houses across five provinces, Quang Binh Province being the hardest hit province with nearly 110,000 homes under the water.

It is estimated that 78 tonnes of rice along with instant noodles, bottled water and other food have been distributed to residents affected by flooding, while high-speed boats, tents and life vests have also been provided to help with the relief effort.

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Source: NDO