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Vietnam Floods Kill 90 as Landslides and Heavy Rain Devastate Regions
At least 90 people have died and 12 remain missing in Vietnam after days of relentless rainfall triggered catastrophic flooding and landslides, officials confirmed Sunday. The disaster has left 186,000 homes damaged nationwide and wiped out over three million livestock, with economic losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of pounds.
Mountainous Provinces Bear the Brunt
The central highlands province of Dak Lak has suffered the heaviest toll, with more than 60 fatalities reported since November 16, according to AFP. Five provinces-Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, and Lam Dong-have been hardest hit, concentrated in southern and south-central Vietnam.
Mach Van Si, a farmer in Dak Lak, described the devastation to AFP:
"Our neighborhood was completely destroyed. Nothing was left. Everything was covered in mud."
Infrastructure Collapses Amid Record Rainfall
As of Sunday morning, 258,000 residents were without electricity, while critical transport routes-including major highways and train lines-remained blocked by floodwaters and debris. Military and police units have been deployed to assist in rescue and relief operations in the worst-affected areas.
Rainfall measurements exceeded 1.5 meters (5 feet) in multiple regions by Friday, with some areas recording 5.2 meters-the highest since 1993. Meteorologists forecast easing conditions in the coming days.
Climate Change Intensifies Extreme Weather
The floods follow a series of recent disasters, including back-to-back typhoons Kalmaegi and Bualoi, which struck Vietnam within weeks of each other. Scientists warn that human-induced climate change has amplified the frequency and intensity of such events, leaving the country increasingly vulnerable.
Government Response Underway
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính convened an emergency virtual meeting Sunday from South Africa, where he had been attending the G20 summit, to coordinate relief efforts. Authorities are assessing long-term recovery plans as the immediate focus remains on search-and-rescue operations and restoring essential services.
