Vietnam: Flash floods and landslides kill at least 37 people

Hanoi, Oct 12: Vietnamese authorities on Thursday said that at least 37 people have died and 40 were missing due to flash floods and landslides caused by heavy rains. A BBC News report on Thursday said that thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes as a tropical depression swept across northern and central Vietnam. Among the missing is a local journalist reporting on the floods, who was swept away after a river bridge collapsed. The South East Asian country often experiences severe storms, and sees several deaths every year from floods. The latest bout began on Monday, and weather officials have warned that the tropical depression may intensify into a more powerful storm in coming days. The northern Yen Bai and Hoa Binh provinces have been particularly hard hit, with reports of widespread inundation and deadly landslides, and homes washed away. Hundreds of soldiers have been deployed for rescue efforts. UNI