UPDATE 2 - China to block river water flow as floods leave 324 dead, missing in Vietnam

UPDATES DEATH TOLL, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK

ISTANBUL (AA) - ***China on Wednesday said it will block the flow of river water as its southern neighbor Vietnam has been battered by heavy floods which left 324 killed or missing, state media reported.

Beijing and Hanoi have “maintained a close and good communication on cooperation in flood control and prevention,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

“China is blocking and storing water at hydropower stations on the main stream of the Red River in support of Vietnam's fight against floods,” said Mao.

Beijing’s decision to block water flow came after Hanoi asked China to regulate the flow of river water as severe weather conditions battered the Southeast Asian nation.

“We will continue to maximize the function of relevant hydropower stations in reducing peaks and replenishing droughts, so as to jointly combat floods caused by Super Typhoon Yagi on the China-Vietnam border,” the ministry spokeswoman told reporters in Beijing.

Hanoi had sent a diplomatic note to Beijing over the flow of water in the Red River.

The river is known as Hong River in China and Song Cai in Vietnam.

At least 324 people are killed or unaccounted for following Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm in three decades, which precipitated landslides and flash floods, as reported by Vietnam news.

Northwestern Lao Cai province experienced significant devastation, with 72 confirmed killings and 111 individuals missing.

More than 54,000 residences in northern municipalities and provinces have been inundated due to elevated river levels.

Northern parts have been badly affected as floods caused breaches and damaged bridges, as well as roads.

To help the affected people, the Vietnamese government deployed thousands of military personnel to carry out relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.

More than 50,000 people from coastal cities have been evacuated due to the typhoon.

Typhoon Yagi struck the northern regions of the Philippines on Sept. 3.

The typhoon, which hit China’s Hainan province on Sept. 7, killed four people and injured 95 others.