At least 55 dead in floods in Vietnam

The rains over parts of Vietnam have been ongoing since the end of October and several places have been flooded in episodes, especially when Typhoon Kalmaegi ravaged the country a few weeks ago.

Rescue workers are still helping people down from treetops and rooftops as water levels recede, state media reported. 300,000 people are without power after a blackout that initially affected more than a million, the environment ministry said.