Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Hundreds Killed in Worst Mekong Flooding Since 2000

October 3rd, 2011
VOA

More than 150 people have died in Cambodia and southern Vietnam in the worst flooding along
the Mekong River in 11 years.

Officials in both countries say flood waters have inundated thousands of hectares of farm land, swamped homes, washed away bridges and forced thousands of people to evacuate.

The situation could get worse if Typhoon Nesat, which killed at least 150 people in the Philippines and three people in China last week, dumps rain deep enough inland to further swell the Mekong.

In Cambodia, Deputy Prime Minister Yim Chhay Ly said Monday the country has been suffering from global climate change in recent years. Flooding has killed at least 150 people in Cambodia since August.

In Vietnam, authorities say at least 18 people have died in the past 10 days.

The government in neighboring Thailand said floods there have killed more than 180 people since August.

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