Hanoi - The death toll from floods that have inundated much of central and northern Vietnam has risen to 82 as more bodies were recovered, officials said Wednesday. Though the rains have stopped, and in some places water levels are receding, rescue workers are struggling to get aid to areas that remain under water. Many villages are still cut off because of landslides triggered by five-days of heavy rains.
Nghe An province was one of the hardest hit by the wrath of Typhoon Lekima, which struck the central coast one week ago. Officials say that 11 more bodies have been recovered, bringing the death in the province to 34.
"Hundreds of houses are still under water but we have found all the missing people," said Ha Huy Thong, head of the Flood and Storm department in Nghe An.
With 31,000 hectares of rice paddies washed away, relief workers are struggling to feed people stranded by the high waters as well as stave off food shortages in the near future.
There are also worries that stagnating water will breed water-borne diseases, which typically start to be seen after one week. Finding clean water is also a major challenge as many wells have been contaminated.
The International Federation of the Red Cross made an urgent appeal for 2.7 million dollars to help some 200,000 victims of the floods. The Red Cross says the money is needed for mosquito nets, blankets and food in the seven most heavily-affected provinces.
The US embassy announced Wednesday it was donating 100,000 dollars to assist flood victims.
