20 dead in Vietnam flooding
The flooding caused by Typhoon Lekima has caused £20 million in damage in Vietnam
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Saturday, 06, Oct 2007 11:36
A typhoon has hit Vietnam causing flash floods in the southeast Asian country that have left at least 20 people dead and many missing.
Gusts of wind estimated at least 80 miles per hour were reported in the country and the rains, brought by the weather system called Lekima, resulted in flash flooding in the country's central and northern areas.
The flooding has caused over $41 million (£20.06 million) in damage to the country which is frequently hit by severe storms.
The heavy winds brought by Lekima, named after a local fruit, have knocked out communications equipment making it difficult for authorities to coordinate the relief effort.
The AFP news agency reports that rescuers are facing problems reaching affected areas where large-scale flooding has taken place.
Prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung urged local authorities to focus on protecting dykes and to provide food and medicine to those affected.
Provincial disaster official Dao Van Long told the news agency: "Army, police forces and other rescue workers have tried their best, but several communes (areas) are unreachable. We even lost telephone contact with them."