Deadly Floods in Vietnam Kill 55, Rescuers Race to Find Missing

HANOI: Rescue teams in Vietnam are urgently searching for more than a dozen people still missing after a week of severe flooding that has claimed at least 55 lives, authorities said on Saturday (Nov 22). The floods have hit multiple provinces in south-central Vietnam, causing widespread destruction and forcing residents to flee from submerged homes and landslide-prone areas.

Continuous heavy rainfall since late October has battered the region, impacting both popular tourist destinations and remote communities. Coastal cities, including Nha Trang, experienced complete inundation of several city blocks, while mountainous areas near the Da Lat tourist hub suffered deadly landslides. Dak Lak province, located in the highlands, has been reported as the hardest-hit area, with over two dozen fatalities confirmed.

Rescuers have been actively working to save stranded residents, some of whom were trapped on rooftops or perched in treetops as floodwaters surged through their communities. Despite the receding waters, roads and highways remain impassable, leaving many towns isolated. More than 300,000 people are without electricity after a blackout that initially affected over a million residents.

The Vietnamese environment ministry confirmed that the total number of fatalities from flooding in six provinces stands at 55, while 13 people are still reported missing. Authorities are continuing search-and-rescue operations, urging residents to follow safety instructions and remain in secure areas until conditions improve.

Natural disasters have been increasingly frequent in Vietnam, with officials attributing the rise in extreme weather events to climate change. According to national statistics, between January and October this year alone, floods, storms, and other disasters have left 279 people dead or missing and caused over US$2 billion in damages nationwide.

Government officials are working closely with local authorities and disaster response teams to distribute emergency supplies, including food, water, and temporary shelters, to the affected regions. Villagers and residents are being evacuated from vulnerable areas as a precaution against further landslides and flash floods.

The repeated flooding has raised concerns about the long-term impact on Vietnam’s infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism sectors. Authorities continue to monitor weather patterns closely, as additional rain is expected in some regions in the coming days.

Vietnamese leaders have also urged citizens to remain vigilant and adhere to emergency guidelines, highlighting the need for community cooperation to reduce further casualties and property loss.