Central Vietnam has been devastated by relentless rains and flooding, resulting in at least 41 fatalities since the weekend. As search operations continue for nine missing individuals, reports indicate that over 52,000 homes have been inundated, leaving approximately half a million households and businesses without electricity.
The rainfall has exceeded 1.5 meters (5 feet) in some areas over the last three days, surpassing historical flood peaks. The coastal cities of Hoi An and Nha Trang have been particularly hard hit, alongside a key coffee-producing region in the central highlands, which is already facing challenges from previous storms affecting harvests.
Vietnam has been experiencing extreme weather patterns recently, with the state estimating damages from natural disasters at around $2 billion between January and October this year. Two recent typhoons, Kalmaegi and Bualoi, have caused significant loss of life and destruction in close succession.
Photographs from local media depict desperate residents stranded on rooftops as the floodwaters encroach. A viral video captured a suspension bridge being torn from its foundations in Lam Dong province. Concerns have heightened as landslides disrupt major roads, and a portion of the Mimosa Pass, a critical route to the tourist destination of Da Lat, collapsed into a ravine.
Tens of thousands of residents are being evacuated from affected areas, with military and police deployed to establish emergency shelters. Local business owners are distressed as businesses suffer flooding, with one Nha Trang restaurant owner estimating about a meter of water inside his establishment. Authorities predict ongoing moderate to heavy rainfall through at least Sunday, raising concerns about further complications.
