Severe Floods in Vietnam Kill 41, Thousands Evacuated Amid Rains

Central Vietnam is facing severe flooding and heavy rains that have killed at least 41 people since the weekend. Authorities are still searching for nine people reported missing. Over 52,000 homes have been submerged, and around half a million households and businesses have lost electricity. Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated to safer areas.

Rainfall in some regions has exceeded 1.5 meters (5 feet) over the past three days, surpassing the previous 1993 flood levels in certain areas. The coastal cities of Hoi An and Nha Trang, as well as key coffee-growing regions in the central highlands, have been the worst affected. Farmers in the Dak Lak province, the country’s largest coffee production area, are struggling as their harvests have already been damaged by earlier storms.

Vietnam has experienced extreme weather this year, with natural disasters causing estimated damages of $2 billion from January to October. Two recent typhoons, Kalmaegi and Bualoi, also caused deaths and destruction in the past months.

Authorities have deployed military troops and police to set up emergency shelters and help evacuate residents. Some major roads and highways have been damaged by landslides. In Lam Dong province, part of the Mimosa Pass collapsed into a ravine, halting traffic, and a bus narrowly avoided falling into the gap. Photographs and videos from the area show people stranded on rooftops and bridges being torn from their anchors.

Local business owners are also struggling with floodwaters entering their shops and restaurants. “I am worried about our furniture in my restaurants and shops, but of course I cannot do anything now,” said a restaurant owner in Nha Trang. “I don’t think the water is going to recede soon, as the rain has not stopped.”

Earlier this month, Typhoon Kalmaegi killed at least five people in central Vietnam after hitting the coast with strong winds, uprooting trees, and damaging homes. In September, Typhoon Bualoi killed at least 11 people when it struck central and northern Vietnam. Experts warn that climate change is contributing to stronger and more frequent typhoons in the region.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and warn that heavy rainfall may persist through at least Sunday, urging residents to stay alert and follow evacuation orders