Record rains in central Vietnam cause 35 deaths and widespread flooding, submerging over 16,500 homes and the UNESCO site of Hoi An.
HANOI: The death toll from severe flooding in central Vietnam has increased to 35 people, according to the national disaster agency.
Five individuals remain missing after record-breaking rainfall deluged coastal provinces over the past week.
Heavy downpours have battered the region since last weekend, with one area receiving up to 1.7 metres of rain within a 24-hour period.
The Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority confirmed the fatalities occurred in Hue, Da Nang, Lam Dong, and Quang Tri provinces.
Hoi An’s ancient town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is now submerged under waist-deep water from a major river that reached its highest level in 60 years.
Residents are using wooden boats to navigate the flooded streets of the historic city.
“Everyone is in shock after the flood,” said Hoi An resident Chuong Nguyen on Sunday.
“People were preparing for the flood, but they didn’t expect the water to rise so high.”
The 43-year-old added that many homes could not prepare in time, resulting in significant property damage.
More than 16,500 houses are currently flooded across the affected provinces.
The disaster has also swept away over 40,000 poultry and livestock animals.
Approximately 5,300 hectares of agricultural land lie completely submerged under water.
Vietnam’s environment ministry had earlier reported that more than 100,000 homes experienced flooding this week.
Authorities have documented more than 150 landslides throughout the central region.
Scientists attribute the increasing severity of such weather events to human-driven climate change.
Vietnam occupies one of the world’s most active regions for tropical cyclones.
The country typically experiences heavy rainfall between the months of June and September.
An average year brings ten typhoons or tropical storms that affect Vietnam directly or offshore.
This year has already seen twelve such storms impact the country.
Natural disasters have claimed 187 lives or left people missing in Vietnam during the first nine months of 2025.
Government estimates place the total economic damage from these events at over US$610 million. – AFP
