RIVER IN FLOOD; FLOODED AREAS IN THREE PROVINCES.




Initials MM/V/RM/JG



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE FLOOD WATERS OF THE MEKONG RIVER ARE STILL SPREADING ACROSS THREE OF SOUTH VIETNAM'S RICHEST PROVINCES, LONG XUYEN, CHAU DOC AND MOC HOA IN THE RIVER'S DELTA NEAR THE CAMBODIAN BORDER.

THOUSANDS HAVE HAD TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES AND A NUMBER HAVE DROWNED AS THE ANNUAL FLOOD CONTINUES.

THE FLOODS COME EVERY YEAR TO THE MEKONG DELTA AND HAVE BECOME PART OF THE PEOPLE'S WAY OF LIFE. MANY JUST LEAVE THEIR HOMES AND LIVE ON BOATS UNTIL THEY CAN RETURN.

BUT THIS YEAR THE FLOODS ARE WORSE THAN USUAL. ALMOST 14,000 SQUARE MILES OF THE DELTA ARE UNDER WATER. IN ONE AREA THIRTY PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM CHILDREN, WERE REPORTED DROWNED AND EVERYWHERE CATTLE AND CROPS ARE BEING LOST TO THE SWIRLING MUDDY WATERS.

ABOUT 70,000 PEOPLE ARE BEING CARED FOR BY THE GOVERNMENT AND WELFARE ORGANISATIONS.

THE THREE PROVINCES ARE AMONG THE FIVE RICHEST IN THE DELTA AREA AND BETWEEN THEM SUPPLY MOST OF SOUTH VIETNAM'S RICE CROP.