Record-breaking rainfall has triggered devastating floods across central Vietnam, killing at least nine people and leaving five others missing, the government said on Wednesday.
According to an official statement, six of the fatalities occurred in the coastal city of Danang and the nearby ancient town of Hoi An, two of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations.
The government’s disaster management agency reported that more than 103,000 houses have been inundated, mainly in Hue and Hoi An.
The UNESCO-listed former imperial capital Hue and the heritage town of Hoi An have been hit by relentless downpours, with rainfall exceeding 1,000 millimetres in a 24-hour period ending late Monday, the highest on record for the region.
State media images showed streets turned into rivers, with several homes submerged up to their rooftops.
In Hue, 32 out of 40 communes have been affected, with floodwaters reaching depths of one to two metres.
In Danang, authorities said most reservoirs had reached maximum capacity, while river levels continued to rise, posing serious risks of flash floods and landslides in surrounding mountainous areas.
“Widespread flooding continues in low-lying and urban areas,” the government warned, adding that landslides had cut off several roads and disrupted power lines.
Vietnam’s state railway operator has also been unable to resume north-south train services between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City following a suspension on Tuesday.
The national weather agency forecast that heavy rain will persist in central provinces for at least two more days, with some areas expected to receive more than 400 millimetres of additional rainfall between Wednesday and Thursday.
Vietnam frequently experiences destructive storms and flooding during its annual rainy season, which lasts from June to October.
The latest deluge is among the most severe in years, striking at the heart of the country’s tourism corridor and threatening further humanitarian and economic fallout.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
