Nine central provinces were hit by the torrential rains as landslides destroyed embankments, dykes and irrigation canals causing up to 35 million dollars of damage, officials said.

Vietnam, which lost 44 people in similar downpours last month, was also bracing itself for more bad weather as a new tropical storm threatened to advance on its central coastal regions.

Last week's rains fell just before the rice harvest, destroying crucial crops as well as devastating shrimp farms, leaving thousands without food.

An official from Vietnam's Committee for Flood and Storm Control in Central Provinces said work was underway to assess damage and prioritise aid.

"We are collecting data on how many people are in short of food or homeless to draw out a supporting programme to help them stabilise their lives and start new crops," he said.

Hoang Thi Ut Lan, People's Committee vice-chairman in the badly-affected province of Ninh Thuan said losses in her region were estimated at 11 million dollars despite efforts to contain the damage.

"We are working on food aids, traffic and environment clean up. We are facing a severe shortage of food," she told AFP.

"It was still lucky that the flood came in the morning so we could mobilise all people to support the dyke systems and rescue those in danger," Lan added.

Meanwhile, tropical storm Nepartak, which pounded the Philippines Friday, killing four people and leaving millions without electricity, was 250 kilometres (155 miles) off the coast of Vietnam early Monday, officials said.

It was still unclear whether it would hit Vietnam.

"We are scared by the storm," said Vo Van Tien, vice-chairman of Quang Nam People's Committee.

"We are banning boats from going offshore. We will evacuate people in makeshift houses and take school children to safe places. Our armed forces are present everywhere, ready to help people in all conditions."

TERRA.WIRE