HANOI: Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains in central Vietnam have killed at least 24 people, left 10 missing and forced about 80,000 from their homes, disaster officials said Sunday.

The National Flood and Storm Control Agency said in a statement that the loss of life happened in five central provinces, where the 10 others were also missing.

It said the floods had inundated 98,000 houses in central Vietnam.

But disaster officials said that the flood waters have started to recede in some areas, allowing residents to return and begin digging out their homes.

The worst-hit province was Binh Dinh, where the floods killed 12 people, officials said.