Record-breaking rainfall has unleashed severe flooding across central Vietnam, leaving at least nine people dead and five others missing, according to government sources cited by Reuters on Wednesday.
A government statement said that six of the victims were residents of the popular tourist cities of Da Nang and Hoi An, where torrential rains and flash floods have inundated homes, shops, and streets. The national disaster management agency reported that more than 103,000 houses have been submerged, most of them located in the Hue and Hoi An regions.
Vietnam’s storm and monsoon season typically lasts from June to October, bringing frequent heavy rainfall and deadly floods. Officials described this year’s deluge as the most severe in recent history.
In the UNESCO World Heritage cities of Hue and Hoi An, relentless downpours continue. The national weather agency said that by Monday night, rainfall had exceeded 1,000 millimeters within 24 hours, marking one of the heaviest rainfalls ever recorded in the country’s history. State media images showed vast areas of Hoi An completely submerged, with many homes flooded up to their rooftops.
Disaster authorities reported that landslides have cut off major roads, electricity supplies have been disrupted, and train services between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have been suspended. The military and local volunteers have joined rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the national meteorological office warned that heavy rainfall is expected to continue over the next two days. From Wednesday morning through Thursday night, some regions could receive over 400 millimeters of additional rain, potentially worsening the crisis.
Experts say that climate change has significantly increased the frequency of extreme rainfall and flash floods across Southeast Asia. Vietnam’s latest disaster is seen as a stark reminder of that growing global trend.
Source: Reuters.