More trouble is brewing as meteorologists have predicted that Megi will soon hit Vietnam as many have been fighting for survival atop their homes.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said the eye of the storm is expected to be about 790km east of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago by 1 am tomorrow with 150-183kph wind gusts. As a result, Vietnamese coastline will be hit by strong wind and heavy sea movements.

Vietnamese agencies have urged authorities of coastal localities from Quang Ninh to Khanh Hoa provinces to take measures to prepare for the storm.

Meanwhile, victims in the region were left stranded on roofs for days as they battled yet another deadly flood in central Vietnam.

Many in Huong Khe District, central Ha Tinh Province, were exhausted after days living on top of their homes as the latest deadly floods struck the area.

For the residents in Huong Khe, this is worst flood in the last decade, which buried more than 20,000 households under water.

According to a preliminary report from the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control, the on-going flood has caused 19 deaths and left three people missing in the central region of Vietnam as of late October 17.

Stories of survival have come from locals, desperate and fighting for their lives. Nguyen Van Son and his wife had to stay on the roof of their house for one day to survive in the rising water. Coldness, hungriness and feelings of fright traumatised many. “The flood has ruined our house. We are tired to death. Anyone can give me some food?” the man who looked worn-out after the two-week battle with the flood screamed.

Hearing of his cry, a relief boat of Huong Khe police force suddenly ran faster and moved to his house, throwing a box of instant noodles and a bottle of water to the place the couple were staying at. They chewed the uncooked noodles with gusto as if they had not eaten anything for a long time.

Regardless of the dangerous water current, many local residents swam towards boats to take relief for survival. The same situation was seen in Phuong My Commune where many braved the water to seek shelter in boats.

Nghe An province recorded the highest fatality numbers with eight.

Up to 15,166 houses, 5,271ha of rice, 18,487ha of maize and 4,773ha of aquatic breeding areas in Nghe An were put underwater, resulting in a total estimated loss of VND272 billion (USD13.94 million). The deluge sunk 21 communes in the province, including nine which were isolated, particularly the communes of Nghi Xa, Nghi Van and Nghi My.

Ha Tinh Province reported six deaths, two missing people, and had 83,517 households inundated.

By late October 17, the flood claimed four lives and left one person missing in Quang Binh Province. More than 13,000 households in Tuyen Hoa, Minh Hoa, Le Thuy and Quang Ninh were under water.

Thua Thien-Hue province also reported one death due to the flood.

The heavy rains flooded 15 railway sections between Ha Tinh province and Dong Hoi Town in Quang Binh Province.

On October 17, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Finance to provide 2,000 tonnes of rice and VND200 billion to help flood-attacked areas in Quang Binh and Ha Tinh.

The frightened face of Mrs. Duc after a sleepless night atop a tree



Mr. Son and his wife receiving relief



Over 20,000 households in Huong Khe District sunk underwater

A woman; alone on the roof

Boats try to rescue locals

The fierce water current swept away homes

Roads are nowhere to be seen

A bridge completely destroyed by floods