Flood toll reaches 20 in Vietnam
HANOI - Floods triggered by heavy rains have killed at least 20 people and injured 31 in central Vietnam since last week, officials said on Thursday as flood levels started to recede.
The floods have also destroyed and inundated more than 15 000 houses and thousands of hectares of rice and other crops in the five central provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai, the officials said.
Thua Thien Hue province suffered the greatest human loss with six people reported dead and 26 injured. The dead included two children, 3 and 16.
"We have sent soldiers, doctors and volunteers to help local people to overcome the flood consequences and to make sure that no one is left hungry and homeless," said Phan Thanh Hung with Thua Thien Hue's flood and storm department.
The province has provided 380 tons of rice, 26 tons of instant noodles, medicines and canvas tents to flooded areas.
Officials from the affected provinces also reported that the rains have stopped and floodwater have gone down significantly.
"Water is receding, and we are spraying antiseptic to prevent water-borne diseases," said Phan Van On with the flood and storm department of Quang Ngai province.
So far this year, floods and storms have killed at least 199 people in Vietnam, including about 90 killed in Tropical Storm Lekima and floods triggered by the storm in early October.
Deutsche Presse Agentur - November 1st, 2007.
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