China says it’s working with Vietnam on flood control after Typhoon Yagi
Water is being stored in reservoirs of hydropower stations along upper reaches of the Red River, according to foreign ministry
China has been storing water in reservoirs along the upper reaches of the Red River to help neighbouring Vietnam as it battles deadly floods brought by Typhoon Yagi, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
At least 152 people have been killed and 140 are missing after Yagi – the most powerful storm to hit Asia this year – brought heavy rains, causing floods and landslides.
Yagi made landfall on Vietnam’s northern coast on Saturday. Parts of northern Vietnam including the capital Hanoi have been affected by the worst flooding of the Red River seen in decades. The river is the largest in the region and flows from Yunnan in southwest China through northern Vietnam to the Gulf of Tonkin.
Floods have also affected China’s southern provinces near the border.
“China and Vietnam are maintaining close and good communication on flood control cooperation,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.
She said China had taken measures to store water in the reservoirs of its hydropower stations on the upper reaches of the Red River, known as the Yuan River in China, to help Vietnam’s flood control efforts.
“We will continue to exercise the function of the hydropower plants to reduce flood peaks and replenish droughts, and work together [with Vietnam] to cope with this natural disaster,” Mao said.
