©VNA/VNS Photo Xuan Quang
The water level in the Hoai River in the ancient town of Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, continues to rise due to heavy rains.

Seven people have died and 30 others have been injured by the recent extreme weather conditions in Viet Nam's central region, according to Vietnam News Agency.

Six people are still missing.

Authorities in Quang Nam Province have told relevant sectors to evacuate people in areas threatened by landslides and floods, and have distributed food, oil, petrol and medicine to localities that have been cut off by flooding.

Ferries have been restricted from operating during rains and flooding and will be punished accordingly if they violate the ban.

Damage was also reported in Thua Thien -Hue Province on Tuesday, when a whirlwind injured 24 people - including one teacher and 22 pupils of Huong Phong primary and secondary school - and blew off hundreds of house roofs.

The victims have been sent to Hue Hospital for care and treatment. Yesterday, the Command of Borderguard in Quang Ngai province reported that heavy rains and floods had cut off Tay Tra, Son Tay and Tra Bong mountain districts.

The flooding has also affected the fishing industry; over 5,400 local fishermen have been forced to fish in different areas. On Tuesday, 13 fishermen from Binh Chau Commune were stranded in Phu Yen Province, and had to wait to be rescued by the local rescue team.

The National Steering Committee for Storm and Flood Control and the National Committee for Search and Rescue sent a joint message on Tuesday to coastal provinces from Quang Tri to Lam Dong, asking provincial authorities and citizens to take preventative measures against further flooding and landslides in an attempt to protect people and their properties. According to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, heavy rains will continue to fall today in provinces from Nghe An to Thua Thien-Hue. River flooding from Nghe An to Quang Ngai will reduce slowly, but remain at high levels.

The centre also said that a cold spell would continue affecting the northern region today. The temperature would drop by 3-4oC and it would rain.