Death toll rises to 87 in central Vietnam after floods

Death toll rises to 87 in central Vietnam after floods

2010-10-18 13:02:54 GMT+7 (ICT)

HANOI, VIETNAM (BNO NEWS) -- At least 23 people were killed over the weekend after heavy rains in central Vietnam, bringing the death toll to 87 since the storms began earlier this month, authorities said on Monday.

Most of the victims drowned after being swept away by rivers in the provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Thua Thien Hue, affected by heavy rains since last Thursday. Three people were reported as missing.

Floods in central Vietnam have affected more than 150,000 homes, prompting the evacuation of 68,000 people. Rains also caused damage to two hydroelectric dams, several roads and railways.

The Vietnamese authorities also fear the arrival in the coming days of Typhoon Megi, which on Monday made landfall with maximum sustained winds of 225 km/hr (140 mph) in the northern Philippine island of Luzon.

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