Heavy rains have caused major flooding in central Vietnam, while a category five hurricane rages on the other side of the world in the Caribbean.

Rivers have swelled and submerged homes, farmland and tourist destinations in the historical cities of Hue and Hoi An.

Rainfall in the central city of Hue reached 1,085 millimetres (42 inches) in 24 hours by late Monday, the highest volume ever recorded in Vietnam, according to the country's meteorological department.

By Tuesday morning, water levels in Hue's iconic Perfume River had risen to nearly 5 metres and were up to waist height in the UNESCO-listed former imperial capital and the ancient town of Hoi An.

Tourists were evacuated by boat from Hoi An after persistent rains and releases from hydro-electric dams caused water in the Hoai Riv

See Full Page