Ketsana, bringing with it torrential rains, strong winds and damaging floods, caused heavy losses for Central Việt Nam.

Initial statistics report 93 deaths, 23 missing, over 200 injured, 6,376 houses collapsed, over 172,000 unroofed, 70,000 ha of rice and crops submerged, 14,560 electric poles fell, 500 KV electricity grid and some 220 KV, 110 KV lines broken, and 179 ships sunk.

Before the storm hit the mainland, Deputy PM Hoàng Trung Hải arrived and stayed in the Central region to personally direct responses to the disaster.

The rescue work is now promptly carried out, especially in isolated areas.

Inspecting the impacts of the storm, PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng asked competent forces and agencies to minimize damages and mitigate consequences.

The provision of food, medicines and clothes for the victims must be guaranteed at all costs, he stressed.

“I am now anxious to know about the fates of those still missing, fishing boats still drifting in the open sea and more than 200 injured people,” said the Government chief.

The PM decided to allocate initial aid of 10,000 tons of rice, VND 460 billion and some patches of medicines to help the victims.

By Hoàng Nguyên