VietNamNet Bridge – The death toll caused by floods in central provinces has reached 21, according to the Dike Management Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Many streets in the town of Hoi An were flooded due to heavy rains and storms, causing many residents to leave their homes.

Among the 21 victims, seven are from Quang Ngai Province, seven from Binh Dinh Province, three from Quang Nam Province, two from Hue City and two from Khanh Hoa Province.

Another four people are now missing, three in Quang Nam Province and one in Quang Ngai Province.

Floods in Quang Ngai Province have torn down 14 houses and landslides along roads have isolated Tay Tra District.

Nam Dong District, Thua Thien-Hue Province, recorded rainfall at 1.072mm, according to a report by the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Heavy rains in Quang Nam Province are also pumping up water levels, with Thu Bon River measured at 10.36m and Vu Gia River reaching 5.16m. All mountainous districts are completely isolated.

Storm conditions have swept away some 65 fishing boats in Duy Nghia Commune of Duy Xuyen District but no-one was reported to be on board.

Provinces will see no abate in the heavy rains and strong winds for the time being, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has said, and rivers in Quang Tri and Quang Nam provinces will continue to rise.

The National Central Committee for Flood Prevention has warned residents in Quang Tri and Gia Lai provinces not to go fishing or collect firewood during the storm conditions and to make sure pupils can get to school safely.

The committee has also urged the provinces to make necessary preparations to deal with the aftermath of the floods.

Flooding has also hampered rail travel in Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam and Da Nang provinces.

According to the Viet Nam Railway Corporation, ten passenger trains with more than 4,000 passengers onboard are being kept in stations because of the heavy rain. A 50-cubic-metre section of land collapsed on a section of railway on the Hai Van pass causing delays.

Stations are co-operating with localities and rail staff to ensure passengers' safety.

Yesterday Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung issued an official message urging the National Central Committee for Flood Prevention, National Committee for Search and Rescue and other ministries and organs to make ready prevention measures to limit the death toll and damage to property.

To deal with the floods, local authorities in Quang Nam, Da Nang, Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Ngai provinces have mobilised more than 800 soldiers and hundreds of boats, canoes and lorries to help evacuate people in high-risk areas.

The Ministry of Health has also provided medicines and chloramin B to combat any spread of diseases like acute diarrhoea during the flood season.

In the past few days the ministry has also put into action a 24-hour emergency team and other health workers to help residents in flood-hit areas.

(Source: Viet Nam News)