18 die in Hanoi's worst flood in 20 years

Source: Agencies  |   2008-11-3  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

MUCH of Vietnam's capital remained under water yesterday as the death toll from the city's worst flooding in two decades climbed to 18, disaster officials and state media reported.

Floods caused by heavy rain have killed at least 50 people across northern and central Vietnam in the past week and sent food prices skyrocketing in Hanoi as much of the capital's transportation system ground to a standstill. Rain had stopped falling by yesterday morning and waters were receding in Hanoi, but many of the city's streets remained submerged under about a meter of water.

"I had to stay in my office for two days because I did not want to swim home in dirty water. It is a total nightmare," said Nguyen Ngoc Khiem, 29, a businessman.

More rain was expected in the city in the next few days, according to the national forecaster. With the vast Mekong River delta in the south and many lakes and rivers throughout the country, Vietnam is prone to floods, which kill hundreds each year. However, this week's floods were the worst to hit the capital in 20 years.

Thirteen more bodies were recovered in Hanoi on Saturday, bringing the city's death toll from the floods to 18, the VietNamNet news Website quoted police as saying. One person was reported missing. Three people were washed away Friday in the northern provinces of Hoa Binh and Phu Tho, disaster officials said. Two were reported missing in Vinh Phuc province.

In central Vietnam, the death toll from the week stood at 28, with one person missing. In Nghe An province, 12 people were killed including four children who were swept away while walking home from school.