(AFP)
HANOI- The death toll from floods that devastated central Vietnam over recent days has reached at least 26, disaster officials said Wednesday.
A total of 19 deaths were reported in the two hardest-hit provinces of Quang Binh and Ha Tinh, according to provincial officials.
Seven other people were killed elsewhere in the central region, officials said.
In Ha Tinh alone, the heavy rains and rising waters have inundated at least 8,400 hectares (20,700 acres) of crops while damaging nearly 27,000 houses, the provincial flood and storm control department said.
The province said it urgently needed "at least 60 tonnes of instant noodles, 8,000 boxes of mineral water and 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of chemicals to clean water for domestic use."
Hundreds of military personnel have been mobilised to help evacuate residents threatened by the floodwaters.
According to the Thanh Nien newspaper, several trains between Hanoi and the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City have been interrupted as rail tracks are under water.
Key roads were also damaged. State-run Vietnam Television said thousands of cars and trucks were stuck on the main national Highway 1 which had been damaged.
On Tuesday, army helicopters were deployed to bring food and other aid to devastated areas.
Vietnam regularly suffers from tropical storms and flooding at this time of year.
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