Floods, landslides and other natural disasters triggered by downpours have left 117 people dead and 21 others missing in Vietnam’s central and central highlands regions since October.

The country’s Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control made the announcement on Friday adding that the fatalities were up from 114.

According to the committee’s latest report p, Quang Tri Province reported the highest death toll of 50, followed by Thua Thien-Hue with 28 and Quang Binh with 11.

The committee also said that as of Thursday, floods had damaged no less than  37,500 houses, mainly in the localities of Quang Binh and Quang Tri.

It added that more than 746,900 cattle and poultry animals were killed or swept away in the disasters.

It said that several highways and local roads in Quang Binh and Quang Tri remained disrupted due to the disasters.

According to the report, further search and rescue, as well as post-disaster recovery, are underway.

The committee also urged authorities and individuals to prepare for the Storm Saudel, which may affect Vietnam’s central region in the next few days.

NAN