At least 41 people have died as relentless torrential rains triggered widespread flooding and landslides across central Vietnam, leaving homes submerged, roads destroyed, and tens of thousands stranded. Authorities reported that the worst-affected regions include Đắk Lắk, Khánh Hòa, Gia Lai, Lâm Đồng, Huế, and Đà Nẵng, where rescue workers are struggling to reach families trapped in rising waters.
The devastation began after several days of uninterrupted heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving more than 1,500 millimetres of precipitation—levels far beyond what local rivers and drainage systems could handle. Entire neighbourhoods have been swallowed by floodwaters, forcing residents to flee to higher ground or wait on rooftops for rescue teams. More than 52,000 homes are reported to be underwater, while nearly 62,000 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters as authorities continue to assess damage.
Transportation across the region has come to a standstill. Major national highways remain blocked due to landslides and deep waterlogging, cutting off access to remote areas. Rail services have also been disrupted, and at least 14 passenger trains have been cancelled as tracks remain submerged. In many regions, power outages have plunged communities into darkness, with more than one million people losing electricity during the peak of the crisis.
The agricultural sector has suffered heavy losses, adding to the long-term economic toll. Over 13,000 hectares of seasonal crops and 2,100 hectares of perennial plantations have been destroyed, while nearly 30,000 livestock animals have died. The affected zones include some of Vietnam’s key coffee-growing districts, raising concerns about potential impacts on exports and rural livelihoods.
The government has deployed a massive emergency response team with more than 18,000 personnel supported by helicopters, speedboats, trucks, and relief vehicles. Military units and disaster-response forces have been sent to flooded areas to conduct search and rescue missions. Footage from state media showed rescue workers breaking through rooftops and windows to pull people out of submerged houses, while others used ropes and inflatable rafts to transport stranded families to safety.
Officials say the extreme rainfall was caused by a combination of meteorological factors, including a strong cold surge, warm sea temperatures, and an active equatorial cloud band that intensified storm systems over the region. Climate experts warn that these conditions may be exacerbated by global warming, as warmer air and oceans are capable of holding more moisture, resulting in heavier and more destructive rainfall events. Vietnam, one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, has witnessed a rise in extreme weather patterns over the past decade, from typhoons and droughts to severe floods.
Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Quốc Dũng has instructed local authorities to accelerate evacuations, deliver essential supplies, and restore power and communication lines. The government has also appealed for emergency aid and relief funds to support affected families and rebuild damaged infrastructure. Officials say that priority will be given to restoring transport routes, providing clean water, and distributing medical supplies to prevent disease outbreaks in flood-hit regions.
As rescue operations continue, focus is shifting to long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts. Thousands of families have lost homes and crops that provided their primary income, raising fears of prolonged economic hardship even after the waters recede. Relief workers and environmental groups are calling for improved climate-resilient infrastructure, stronger flood defenses, and better early-warning systems to protect communities from future disasters.
For now, the situation remains dire as authorities race against time to locate missing residents and deliver aid to areas still cut off by floodwaters. The rising death toll underscores the scale of the tragedy and the challenges faced by Vietnam as climate-driven extreme weather events become increasingly frequent.
