Vietnam's Flood Crisis: 90 Lives Lost and Thousands Displaced

Since late October, incessant rainfall has led to devastating floods across south-central Vietnam, impacting popular tourist destinations and mountainous regions. As of November 23, the Environment Ministry reported that the death toll has climbed to 90, with 12 individuals still unaccounted for.

Central Dak Lak province has been the hardest hit, with over 60 deaths recorded since November 16. Thousands of homes have been inundated, forcing a large-scale evacuation of residents. The coastal city of Nha Trang and the mountainous town of Da Lat have also experienced significant flooding and landslides, disrupting vital transport routes.

Major highways remain blocked and several railway services are suspended, complicating rescue and recovery efforts. Power outages persist, with more than 129,000 individuals currently without electricity, down from over a million affected last week.

Economic losses from the floods across five provinces are estimated at approximately 343 million US dollars. While Vietnam generally experiences heavy rains from June to September, experts indicate that climate change is leading to more intense and frequent storms.

This year, natural disasters, including floods and storms, have resulted in a total of 279 deaths or missing persons in Vietnam, leading to damages exceeding 2 billion US dollars, according to national statistics.

As the rainy season nears its conclusion, Vietnamese authorities are continuing rescue and relief efforts, striving to restore infrastructure and support communities affected by this calamity.