Death toll in Vietnam flooding rises to 36

Hanoi: Disaster officials say the death toll from flooding triggered by heavy rains in central Vietnam has hit 36, with about 80,000 people forced from homes.

The National Floods and Storms Control Agency said in a statement today that the floods had inundated nearly 250,000 homes, but disaster officials say the flood waters have largely receded allowing residents to return to clean up their homes.

Disaster officials say the deaths occurred in five central provinces, with Binh Dinh the worst-hit province with 18 people dead. Another nine people are missing.

Vietnam is prone to floods and storms, with hundreds of people killed each year.