The death toll from a new barrage of torrential rain, flooding and landslides in central Vietnam since the weekend has risen to 41, state media reported on Thursday, with water levels rising further in already inundated towns and villages.

Rainfall exceeded 60 inches in several parts of central Vietnam over the past three days. The region is home to a key coffee production belt as well as the country’s most popular beaches, but is highly prone to storms and floods .

A suspension bridge on Da Nhim River in Lam Dong province was swept away on Thursday morning, VietnamNet newspaper reported. A video clip showed the bridge being swallowed by the river in just a few seconds. Reuters could not immediately verify the video.

More than half a million households and businesses faced blackouts

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