The death toll from severe flooding in Vietnam has reached 90, with authorities still searching for 12 missing individuals. The catastrophic weather, characterized by heavy rainfall and landslides, has persisted since late October 2023, particularly affecting south-central regions. Popular tourist locations, including coastal Nha Trang, have experienced multiple rounds of flooding, leading to widespread devastation.
In the mountainous province of Dak Lak, where the impacts have been most severe, local farmer Mach Van Si, aged 61, described the harrowing experience of being stranded on his sheet-metal rooftop for two nights alongside his wife. “Our neighbourhood was completely destroyed. Nothing was left. Everything was covered in mud,” he recounted. By the time he and his wife reached their roof, fear had given way to hopelessness. “I just thought we were going to die because there was no way out,” he added.
The Vietnam Environment Ministry reported that the majority of the fatalities, over 60, occurred in Dak Lak. This province alone has seen tens of thousands of homes inundated, with four communes still underwater as of Sunday. The flooding has severely affected agriculture, damaging more than 80,000 hectares of rice and other crops across Dak Lak and four other provinces. Additionally, over 3.2 million livestock and poultry have either perished or been swept away by floodwaters.
Relief Efforts Underway
In response to the crisis, authorities have deployed helicopters to deliver aid to isolated communities affected by the flooding and landslides. The government has mobilized tens of thousands of personnel to distribute essential supplies, including clothing, water-purification tablets, and instant noodles. According to state media outlet Tuoi Tre News, the situation remains critical as severe flooding in the coastal province of Khanh Hoa has washed away two suspension bridges, exacerbating isolation for many households.
As of Sunday, significant portions of national highways remain obstructed due to flooding and landslides, with numerous railway sections also suspended. The impact on infrastructure has left more than 129,000 customers without electricity, following a peak of over a million customers affected last week. The environment ministry estimates that economic losses across five provinces could reach approximately $343 million due to the floods.
Natural disasters have posed a continuing threat in Vietnam. The national statistics office reported that between January and October of this year, such events have resulted in 279 deaths or missing persons and caused damages exceeding $2 billion.
As rescue operations continue, the situation remains dire for many residents, with communities grappling with the aftermath of this devastating flooding.
