THANH HOA, Vietnam (AFP) — Floods in central Vietnam unleashed by Typhoon Lekima have killed at least 17 people, state television and officials reported late Friday as rescuers struggled to reach communities submerged by the heavy rains.
Another six people were reported missing after the storm passed, according to figures given by Vietnam TV and provincial authorities, raising the earlier toll from five dead and four missing.
Lekima, which packed maximum sustained winds of 117 kilometres (72 miles), triggered rains that led to flash floods, damaging 77,000 homes and structures, the Hanoi-based flood and storm control committee said in a statement earlier.
In Nghe An province, flash floods isolated parts of one neighbourhood, said provincial disaster official Dao Van Long.
"Several residential areas have been submerged under water, and it's difficult to approach them. We have mobilised military boats and vessels to help in relief activities," Long told AFP.
"The water level of rivers there has risen rapidly, reaching the record level of 80.19 metres (264 feet) Friday," he said.
Disaster officials in Quang Ngai province said a three-year-old boy died after being swept away by strong river currents. Authorities were searching for his five-year-old cousin, who also was believed to have been caught up.
"People along the river have been trying to find the little boy. We suspect that he could not survive," said local official Bui Duc Thai.
Lekima damaged more than 35,000 hectares (87,000 acres) of crops. Total material loss was estimated at nearly 660 billion dong (41 million dollars), the Hanoi storm committee said.
Over the weekend, Lekima -- then classed as a tropical storm -- left nine people dead, one missing and another injured in the Philippines.
Weather forecasters said the typhoon lost strength when it reached Laos later Thursday.
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