Tragedy has struck central Vietnam as catastrophic flooding and landslides, triggered by a week of relentless torrential rain, have claimed the lives of at least 55 people.
The country's disaster agency confirmed the rising death toll, with another 13 individuals reported missing amidst the chaos. In some areas, the staggering rainfall total exceeded 1.9 metres (74.8 inches), submerging vast swathes of the region.
Regional Devastation and Rescue Operations
The province of Dak Lak in the Central Highlands has borne the brunt of the disaster, accounting for nearly half of the fatalities with 27 confirmed deaths. Neighbouring Khanh Hoa province, home to popular coastal resorts, reported 14 deaths.
In a dramatic display of modern rescue efforts, local police in Dak Lak deployed a drone to save a man stranded on an island in the middle of the raging Serepok River. Footage of the aerial rescue has been widely shared, offering a glimmer of hope.
Naval forces have also been mobilised in Khanh Hoa to assist citizens trapped by floodwaters, which have reportedly reached record highs in many areas.
Widespread Damage and Economic Impact
The human cost is matched by severe material and economic destruction. The Vietnamese government estimates the preliminary cost to the economy at a colossal 8.98 trillion dong (approximately £260 million).
The disaster agency provided stark figures on the scale of the damage:
- More than 235,000 homes have been flooded.
- Nearly 80,000 hectares of agricultural crops have been damaged, a significant blow to a region known as a major coffee production belt.
Infrastructure has also suffered critically. Last Thursday, a suspension bridge on the Da Nhim River in Lam Dong province was completely swept away, with video footage capturing the structure being swallowed by the powerful currents in a matter of seconds.
Personal Stories Amidst the Crisis
Amidst the overwhelming statistics, individual stories of survival have emerged. State media shared photos of residents, including children, waiting for rescue while perched on the roofs of their flooded houses.
In a separate incident, a seven-year-old girl in Da Lat, the capital of Lam Dong province, was miraculously rescued after being buried by a landslide. The Nhan Dan newspaper reported that the landslide, caused by the heavy rain, knocked down part of her home. She was pulled out after an hour and a half and hospitalised with a broken leg.
