Vietnam Flooding Kills 13

Hanoi, Vietnam (AHN) - Officials said Thursday at least 13 people died and five are missing in central Vietnam after continuous heavy rainfalls and massive flooding for the past two days.

In the latest government tally, one died in Quang Binh and Quang respectively, two in Quang Nam, three in Quang Ngai, and six in Thua Thien-Hue.

National food and storm committee in Hanoi said several of the victims were swept away by heavy stream currents, including two children, while a whirlwind in central Vietnam on Tuesday injured 30 people.

Official from the central flood and storm prevention committee in Da Nang city Van Phu Chinh said, "There have been heavy rains, causing serious flooding in the central region on Tuesday and Wednesday."

He added, "Tens of thousands of houses were under water and hundreds of thousands of hectares of paddy fields had been destroyed. Flooding has interrupted or damaged transport systems in several districts."

In an online report, some 9,400 people were temporarily relocated to evacuation centers, while at least 12,000 houses in low-lying areas submerged in water floods.