Heavy rains and flooding in central Vietnam have killed at least 17 people and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents over the past week, according to state media.

Images from the region showed entire villages in the province of Quang Tri submerged due to the flooding, which also cut food supplies to thousands of residents. More than 40,000 people have been evacuated to higher ground.  

Authorities say they expect the situation to worsen when another tropical storm, named Linfa, brings a new round of heavy rain.  

Vietnam is prone to destructive storms that trigger floods and landslides, with central coast areas most vulnerable. At least 132 people were reported either dead or missing due to natural disasters last year.