At least 60 people have died and many are still missing in northern Vietnam as tropical storm Kammuri caused landslides and floods across the region, Vietnamese officials said on Saturday.

A Vietnamese flood and storm official said that the worst-hit area was the mountainous Lao Cai province, where 25 people have died and 35 are still missing.

Thao A. Tua said the death toll was likely to increase as the rain continues to hit the region and river water levels rise causing further flooding.

Vietnamese troops are involved in the rescue operation to try to reach isolated communities with rescue workers trying to get people to move to the safety of higher ground.

The heavy rain is forecast to continue throughout Saturday.