Floods in Vietnam Claim at Least 90 Lives, 12 Still Missing
At least 90 people have died and a further 12 are missing after days of relentless rain triggered widespread flooding and landslides across Vietnam. The disasters have devastated communities, destroyed homes, and caused severe disruptions to infrastructure and livelihoods.
The Vietnamese government reported that 186,000 homes have been damaged nationwide, while more than three million livestock have been swept away by the floodwaters. Officials estimate the economic toll to be in the hundreds of millions of pounds, underscoring the immense scale of the destruction.
The mountainous province of Dak Lak has been among the hardest hit, accounting for over 60 deaths since 16 November, according to AFP news agency. Local residents described scenes of utter devastation as landslides buried homes and roads, leaving communities cut off and struggling to recover.
“This neighbourhood was completely destroyed. Nothing was left. Everything was covered in mud,” said Mach Van Si, a farmer in Dak Lak, speaking to AFP. His words capture the human cost of the disaster, as families mourn lost homes, livestock, and livelihoods.
The floods are the latest in a series of extreme weather events to strike Vietnam in recent months. The country was already battered by typhoons Kalmaegi and Bualoi, which hit in quick succession, compounding the impact on vulnerable communities. The series of storms has placed enormous strain on emergency services and government resources, highlighting the growing challenge of coping with increasingly frequent natural disasters.
Vietnam Floods and Landslides Leave at Least 90 Dead, Thousands Displaced
Sections of major motorways and train tracks have been blocked, complicating relief efforts. As of Sunday morning, some 258,000 people were without electricity, leaving residents unable to access communication or essential services. In response, the Vietnamese military and police have been deployed to the worst-affected areas to assist in evacuations, deliver aid, and help with recovery operations.
The government identified five provinces as the most severely affected: Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, and Lam Dong. These areas, located in south and south-central Vietnam, have experienced some of the heaviest rainfall, leading to landslides and flash floods that swept through villages and farmland.
Rainfall levels in the affected regions were unprecedented. In some areas, accumulations surpassed 1.5 metres (five feet) in the days leading up to Friday, with certain locations recording over 5.2 metres of rain—levels not seen since 1993. While meteorologists predict that the rainfall will ease in the coming days, authorities warn that rivers remain swollen and landslide risks persist, particularly in mountainous terrain.
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, attending the G20 summit in South Africa, chaired a virtual emergency meeting on Sunday morning to coordinate the national response. He called for swift and effective relief measures and urged authorities to prioritize the rescue and protection of affected communities.
Scientists warn that human-driven climate change has heightened Vietnam’s exposure to extreme weather. Rising global temperatures and changing weather patterns have contributed to more powerful and frequent typhoons, exacerbating the country’s vulnerability. Experts say that unless climate adaptation measures are strengthened, communities in flood-prone areas will continue to face increasing risk from such disasters.
The floods have also highlighted the vulnerability of rural livelihoods. Farmers have seen crops destroyed, while livestock—a primary source of income and food security—have been washed away, leaving families struggling to recover. Recovery efforts are expected to be long and complex, requiring coordinated support from both government agencies and humanitarian organizations.
International observers have expressed concern over the severity of the situation, noting that Vietnam’s combination of mountainous terrain, high rainfall, and densely populated lowlands makes the country particularly susceptible to extreme weather events. Relief agencies are mobilizing to provide emergency shelter, food, clean water, and medical assistance to displaced communities.
As communities begin the painstaking process of rebuilding, Vietnamese authorities face the dual challenge of immediate rescue and long-term planning. Experts suggest that infrastructure improvements, early warning systems, and sustainable land management will be critical in mitigating the impact of future floods and landslides.
For the families affected, the disaster is already a deeply personal tragedy. Entire villages have been submerged, homes destroyed, and livelihoods wiped out. While the rain may ease in the coming days, the social and economic fallout of Vietnam’s latest floods will be felt for months, if not years.
The recent spate of extreme weather underscores a sobering reality for Vietnam: as climate change continues to intensify storms, floods, and landslides, the country’s preparedness and resilience will be tested more than ever.
Source- BBC
