Floods kill 10, river level at 60-year high

Flooding in Vietnam has killed at least 10 people this week as the water level of a major river near tourist landmarks reached a 60-year high, authorities said yesterday.

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A man wades through a flooded street following heavy rains in Hoi An, Vietnam, yesterday.

(AFP)

Vietnam’s coastal provinces, home to Unesco world heritage site Hoi An ancient town, have been pummelled by heavy rain since the weekend, with a record of up to 1.7 metres falling over 24 hours.

At least 10 people have been killed while eight others are missing, the environment ministry said.

More than 128,000 houses in five central provinces have been inundated, with water three metres deep in some areas.

People waded through waist-deep water in the flooded streets of Hoi An yesterday and the ground floors of shops were submerged, an AFP journalist said.