VIETNAM HEAVY RAINS, LANDSLIDES KILLS 41 IN CENTRAL REGION

Vietnam heavy rains have caused severe flooding, killing at least 41 people and nine others reported to be missing since the weekend,
according to state media. More than 52,000 homes are submerged, and nearly half a million households and businesses are without electricity. Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated as rainfall in some areas surpassed 1.5 metres in just three days, even exceeding historic flood levels recorded in 1993.
The coastal cities along with key coffee-growing regions in the central highlands, are among the hardest hit. Entire communities have been cut off, major roads destroyed. Military and police units have been deployed to rescue stranded residents and build emergency shelters.
The flooding marks the latest in a string of extreme weather events for Vietnam. Authorities warned that heavy rains are expected to continue at least through Sunday as climate experts link the intensifying storms to the growing impact of climate change.