At least nine people have been killed and five others remain missing after torrential rains triggered catastrophic flooding across central Vietnam, submerging thousands of homes and paralyzing major tourist destinations, government officials said on Wednesday.
According to the government’s disaster management agency, six of the victims were from the coastal city of Danang and the nearby ancient town of Hoi An, both among the country’s most popular tourist attractions.
More than 103,000 houses have been inundated, particularly in the historic cities of Hue and Hoi An, as record-breaking rainfall battered the region, officials said in a statement.
The flooding followed unprecedented rainfall that exceeded 1,000 millimetres (39 inches) in just 24 hours — the highest on record in decades — as heavy downpours continued to lash Vietnam’s central coast through midweek.
Photos and videos broadcast on state media showed streets in Hoi An transformed into rivers, with small boats navigating through floodwaters that reached the rooftops of submerged houses.
In Hue, the former imperial capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, authorities reported that 32 of the city’s 40 communes were under floodwaters, with depths ranging between one and two metres.
Rescue teams have been deployed to evacuate stranded residents, deliver food and medical supplies, and clear blocked roads. Emergency shelters have also been opened in schools and community centers across the affected provinces.
Vietnam is highly vulnerable to severe weather events, with annual storms and floods causing significant loss of life and property damage — particularly between June and October, the country’s storm season.
Officials have urged residents to remain vigilant as meteorologists warn that more heavy rains are expected in the coming days, raising fears of further landslides and flash floods in mountainous areas.
About the Author
