Vietnam floods: At least 28 people died as heavy rains hit Quang Ngai province

At least 28 people were killed, nine are missing and some 80,000 homeless since flooding and landslides hit central Vietnam on Friday.

Lives were lost across five provinces, according to the National Flood and Storm Control Agency, quoted by the Associated Press.

In Quang Ngai province, flood waters reportedly rose above a previous peak recorded in 1999.

A tropical depression has dumped rain on the country.

Earlier in the week, at least 13 people died and 81 were injured when Tropical Storm Haiyan made landfall in north Vietnam after wreaking havoc in the Philippines.

There has been disruption to the coffee harvest and bean drying in Vietnam’s central highland provinces, Reuters news agency reports.

Vietnam is the world’s top robusta coffee producer, accounting for around 17% of the world’s output.

Flood waters have started to recede in some areas, allowing residents to return and begin digging out their homes, officials said.

Binh Dinh Province reported the highest number of deaths, followed by Quang Ngai, the official Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper reports.

Some 100,000 houses were submerged and roads were closed and some national train services cancelled.

Flood waters rose quickly after 15 hydro power plants opened their sluice gates as a safety measure.

Earlier reports on the flooding gave a slightly higher estimate for deaths.

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