KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (KUNA) -- Vietnam announced Friday that at least two people have died after heavy rains triggered floods in several parts of the country, causing dozens of landslides, major infrastructure damage, and the evacuation of residents from their homes.
Radio Voice of Vietnam quoted authorities in Lam Dong province as saying the rains flooded thousands of homes and caused at least two deaths.
The province recorded around 16 landslides that damaged roads and bridges and forced hundreds of houses to be evacuated, it added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration Dr. Hoang Duc Cuong said in a press statement that Vietnam has experienced 21 storms so far this year - 15 typhoons and six tropical depressions - the highest number since records began in 1961.
He went on to say that natural disasters this year have left more than 400 people dead or missing nationwide and caused economic losses exceeding USD 3.6 billion, noting that the recent rainstorms were the heaviest in decades.
In recent weeks, heavy rains in south central Vietnam have flooded hundreds of thousands of homes in well-known coastal tourist areas and triggered deadly landslides in mountainous regions, while local authorities continue urgent evacuations and work to reopen damaged roads. (end) aab.lr