Central Vietnam is grappling with devastating floods and landslides that have caused at least 90 fatalities, with Dak Lak Province bearing the brunt, reporting 63 deaths. The relentless rains since late October have led to widespread destruction, inundating over 235,000 homes and damaging nearly 80,000 hectares of crops. The financial toll is estimated at approximately $341 million. The floods have rendered many roads impassable and resulted in extensive power outages, affecting hundreds of thousands of households.
Rescue operations are underway, focusing on evacuating and assisting residents in the hardest-hit areas. In Dak Lak's Hoa Thinh and Hoa Xuan communes, where the impact is most severe, thousands of people are receiving aid, with relief teams working tirelessly to deliver essential supplies. Helicopters have been deployed to reach isolated regions, ensuring the distribution of food, water, and emergency equipment.
The floods have been exacerbated by the region's unique geography and inadequate drainage systems, highlighting the urgent need for improved infrastructure. This disaster underscores the increasing vulnerability of Vietnam to climate change, as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, threatening both lives and livelihoods.
