Central Vietnam has experienced severe flooding and heavy rainfall since the weekend, resulting in 41 confirmed fatalities. Nine individuals remain unaccounted for as search operations continue.
Impact and Damage
Over 52,000 homes have been submerged due to the deluge. Additionally, half a million households and businesses are currently without electricity. Rainfall in several areas has exceeded 1.5 meters (5 feet) over the past three days, with some locations surpassing the 1993 flood peak of 5.2 meters.
Coastal cities such as Hoi An and Nha Trang, alongside a significant coffee production region in the central highlands, are among the most affected areas. Farmers in the coffee belt were already facing challenges due to previous storms impacting their harvest.
Infrastructure and Evacuations
Landslides have caused damage to major roads and highways, particularly in Lam Dong province, which has declared a state of emergency. Traffic was halted on the Mimosa Pass, a primary access route to Da Lat, after a section collapsed.
Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated from flood-affected regions. Military personnel and police officers have been deployed to establish emergency shelters and facilitate the relocation of people to safer areas. Authorities have issued warnings for continued moderate to heavy rainfall across central Vietnam, expected to last until at least Sunday.
Broader Context
Vietnam has been affected by extreme weather events in recent months, including typhoons Kalmaegi and Bualoi, which caused multiple deaths and widespread destruction. Government estimates indicate that natural disasters have caused approximately $2 billion in damage between January and October of the current year.