Death toll from Vietnam flooding rises to 41

The death toll from flooding caused by heavy rains in central Vietnam has risen to 41, with about 80,000 people forced from their homes, disaster officials said on Tuesday.

The National Floods and Storms Control Agency said in a statement that the floods had affected more than 400,000 houses, but added the flood waters have mostly receded, allowing many residents to return home. The heavy rains began on November 14.

The officials said the deaths occurred in six central provinces. Binh Dinh was the worst-hit province with 18 people dead. Another five people are missing.

The floods also injured 74 people and damaged 4,300 hectares (10,625 acres) of rice paddies and other crops, the agency said.

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