The latest deaths were reported in the central highlands province of Dak Lak, where seven people drowned, including two children, said Pham Xuan Truong, head of the provincial flood and storm department.

"The newly reported deaths in Dak Lak bring the total death toll in central Vietnam to 61 between December 4 and 21," said a national disaster official, adding that three other people are still missing.

Material losses are estimated at around 309 billion dong (nearly 20 million dollars).