VIETNAMESE authorities warned yesterday of disease outbreaks, including cholera and dengue fever, after heavy rain triggered floods that have killed at least 65 people in northern and central Vietnam.
At least 18 people were killed in Hanoi in what is believed to be the heaviest flooding in the capital since 1984, state media said.
The Health Ministry alerted all clinics in flood-hit areas to be staffed around the clock to prepare for any outbreaks, state media reported yesterday.
Much of Hanoi got a respite from heavy showers yesterday but the government warned that more downpours, flash floods and landslides could be in store in mountainous provinces in the country's north-central region this week.
"Large-scale flash floods on the rivers, streams and landslides are expected in the mountainous areas from Thanh Hoa to Nghe An," the national weather forecast centre said in a flood report, referring to two provinces.
Many streets in the downtown area of Hanoi and the city's outskirts remained submerged and the city ordered schools closed yesterday.
Up to 500 mm of rain has fallen on Hanoi since Friday, halting traffic. Landslides have eroded many sections of the north-south Ho Chi Minh highway in Thua Thien-Hue province.
The Vietnamese government has ordered the army to mend damaged river dykes in northern provinces and to help evacuate people from areas vulnerable to landslides and flash floods.
State media said the lives of thousands were threatened after a dyke broke in Ninh Binh province. It gave no further details.
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