Catastrophic flooding has swept through Southeast Asia, claiming 91 lives and leaving a trail of destruction across Thailand and Vietnam. Rescue teams are working desperately to reach stranded residents as officials warn that more heavy rain is expected in the coming days.
Record Rainfall Triggers Deadly Flooding
The extreme weather event has produced some of the heaviest rainfall seen in centuries, with the city of Hat Yai in Thailand's Songkhla province recording 335 millimeters of rain in just 24 hours - the highest figure in 300 years according to local officials. The unprecedented downpour has transformed streets into rivers, with photographs showing cars almost completely submerged beneath muddy waters.
In Vietnam, the severe weather has been affecting multiple provinces for the past week, causing devastating flooding and landslides across an 800-kilometre stretch from Quang Tri to Lam Dong provinces. The human cost continues to rise, with 91 confirmed fatalities and 11 people still missing as rescue operations continue.
Regional Impact and Rescue Efforts
The scale of devastation varies across the affected regions, with some areas experiencing the worst flooding in living memory. Dak Lak province in Vietnam has been particularly hard-hit, accounting for 63 of the total deaths, most caused by drowning. Other provinces including Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Gia Lai, Danang, Hue and Quang Tri have also reported fatalities.
Local residents and visitors have joined forces to clean up debris in popular tourist destinations like Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa province. "We've never experienced that much rain and such bad flooding," said Pham Thu Huyen, one of hundreds participating in cleanup efforts.
Dramatic rescue images have emerged across media channels, showing emergency crews evacuating vulnerable residents including infants from flooded homes. Thai rescue teams have been photographed navigating submerged streets in Songkhla province, carefully moving past vehicles swallowed by the rising waters.
Ongoing Threats and Warnings
Authorities in both countries have issued stern warnings about the continuing threat. Regional officials confirmed on Monday that water levels are expected to rise further with rain forecast to continue through Tuesday.
The impact on population has been staggering, with nearly two million people affected by severe flash flooding in southern Thailand alone over the weekend. Across six southern provinces in Thailand, five people have been killed and four injured according to regional health officials. Ten southern provinces in total have experienced heavy rainfall over the past week.
As climate patterns become increasingly unpredictable, these devastating floods serve as a stark reminder of the growing threat posed by extreme weather events in Southeast Asia and beyond.
