Many hydropower plants in the northern regions have been forced to release water in the last two days as the low pressure zone has brought in ceaseless rainfall, exceeding 200mm, that is swelling rivers in provinces like Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai and Cao Bang.
This caused the Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention to permit the Tuyen Quang, Hoa Binh and Son La hydropower plants to discharge excess water on Sunday, increasing water levels in the Red River by 1-2 meters.
Heavy rainfall has caused flooding and landslides in several areas, raising the number of dead and missing people to 12.
Flooding was worst on Highway 70 in Doan Hung District of Phu Tho Province by Sunday night, soon after the hydropower plants began releasing waters.
Medium and heavy rainfall will continue in the northern regions for the next two to three days.
