Vietnam is facing one of its deadliest flooding disasters in recent years, with the death toll rising to 90 people and 12 still missing, the Ministry of Environment reported on Sunday. Days of heavy rain, flash floods, and landslides have devastated five provinces in the south-central region since late October.
Popular tourist destinations such as Nha Trang and Da Lat were severely affected as floodwaters swept through coastal neighborhoods and triggered deadly landslides in the highlands. Large sections of Nha Trang city were submerged last week, while roads around Da Lat became unsafe due to collapsing hillsides.
In Dak Lak Province, the worst-hit area, more than 60 people have died since November 16. Tens of thousands of homes were flooded, leaving many families stranded for days.
One resident, Mach Van Si, a 61-year-old farmer, described the terrifying moment he and his wife escaped rising waters by climbing onto their metal rooftop.
“Our neighborhood was completely destroyed. Everything was covered in mud,” he told AFP. “When we climbed to the roof, I wasn’t even scared anymore. I thought we were going to die because there was no way out.”
Across Dak Lak and four neighboring provinces, more than 80,000 hectares of rice fields and crops have been destroyed. Over 3.2 million livestock and poultry have died or been washed away, deepening the economic toll on farming communities.
Authorities have deployed helicopters to drop emergency supplies into isolated communities. Tens of thousands of rescue personnel have been mobilized to distribute clothing, safe-drinking-water tablets, food, and medical support, according to state media.
In Khanh Hoa Province, severe flooding washed away two suspension bridges, cutting off entire villages. Major national highways and several railway routes remain blocked due to landslides and submerged roads.
Power outages continue across the region. More than 129,000 homes were still without electricity on Sunday, after over a million customers lost power earlier in the week.
The Ministry of Environment estimates the economic damage at $343 million across the five affected provinces. Nationwide, natural disasters have claimed 279 lives and caused more than $2 billion in losses between January and October this year.
Vietnam normally experiences heavy monsoon rains during June–September, but scientists warn that climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events in the region.
