Hanoi  - Floods triggered by unseasonably heavy rains have killed at least three people, left another four missing and injured four others in central Vietnam, disaster management officials said Friday.

The central provinces saw heavy rain between December 30 and January 2, with total rainfall of 200 to 400 millimeters.

"According to the latest figures from Friday morning, one person has been killed and one is missing in Quang Nam Province," said Huynh Tan Phat of the Central Steering Committee for Storm and Flood Control.

Fisherwoman Tran Thi Toi was killed when her boat sank on Wednesday. Nguyen Ngoc Tam was reported missing after his fishing boat was swept away.

"Heavy floods have killed at least two and left three missing in our province," said Phan Van On, head of the Committee for Flood and Storm Control in Quang Ngai Province.

Ho Viet Phuong was swept away on Thursday while passing the Ngoc Tri bridge and Vu Van Khoa was swept away on Tuesday while passing the Re river.

More than 15,000 hectares of newly-grown rice paddies were damaged, six fishing boats were sunk and several kilometers of commune and inter-district roads destroyed.

Heavy rains also flooded many streets of Quang Nam City, with water levels reaching one to two metres in places.

"The rains are dying out, but the rivers are still high," said Phat.

Heavy rains and floods in Vietnam usually end before November, and such weather is abnormal for winter.

Vietnam is a disaster-prone country and heavy rains and flooding kill hundreds every year. In late October the capital Hanoi suffered the heaviest flooding for 35 years.

Last year disasters killed 550 people, injured 440 with a damage toll of more than 705 million dollars. (dpa)