Vietnam Battles Deadly Floods as Rains Continue

Published: 21 November 2025 Friday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Central Vietnam is grappling with one of the deadliest flooding disasters in recent memory, as relentless rains and rising waters have claimed at least 41 lives since the weekend, with nine more people still missing, state media reported. The unprecedented downpour has submerged over 52,000 homes, leaving half a million households and businesses without electricity, while roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure have been heavily damaged. In some regions, rainfall has exceeded 1.5 meters over just three days, surpassing levels seen during the catastrophic 1993 floods, signaling the severity of the disaster. The coastal cities of Hoi An and Nha Trang, along with the central highlands—an important coffee-producing belt—have been among the hardest hit, compounding the challenges for farmers who are already struggling with stalled harvests from previous storms.

Images and videos circulating on social media reveal the scale of the devastation, showing residents stranded on rooftops as floodwaters creep into their homes. A particularly dramatic video from Lam Dong province captures a suspension bridge being torn from its anchors, illustrating the destructive power of the ongoing deluge. In response to the growing crisis, authorities in the province have declared a state of emergency, with landslides already damaging major highways and severing key transport routes. Traffic was halted after part of the Mimosa Pass—a critical entryway into the tourist city of Da Lat—collapsed into a ravine, narrowly missing a bus, highlighting the ever-present risks for local residents and travelers alike.

Emergency response teams have been mobilized across the flood-affected areas, with military personnel and police officers establishing temporary shelters and evacuating tens of thousands of residents to safety. The scale of the disaster has left many families vulnerable, as local businesses, schools, and public services have been disrupted. Bui Quoc Vinh, a restaurant owner in Nha Trang, described how his shops were submerged under about a meter of water. “I am worried about our furniture in my restaurants and shops, but of course I cannot do anything now,” he told AFP. “I don’t think the water is going to recede soon, as the rain has not stopped.”

This latest disaster comes on the heels of a series of extreme weather events that have battered Vietnam in recent months. Typhoons Kalmaegi and Bualoi left a trail of destruction within weeks of each other, and natural disasters between January and October this year have already caused an estimated $2 billion in damages, according to government figures. The combination of tropical storms, prolonged heavy rainfall, and landslides has created a mounting humanitarian crisis, putting enormous pressure on local authorities and emergency services to respond effectively while also maintaining public safety.

The relentless flooding is having wide-ranging consequences for the economy and livelihoods in central Vietnam. Agricultural areas, particularly coffee plantations in the highlands, have been severely affected, jeopardizing crops that were already at risk due to previous storms. Coastal cities such as Hoi An and Nha Trang, which rely heavily on tourism, face disruptions that could impact local income and employment. Beyond economic concerns, the floods pose immediate threats to public health, as standing water and damaged infrastructure increase the risk of waterborne diseases, complicating the efforts of medical and rescue teams working in the affected areas.

Authorities have warned that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to continue through at least Sunday, meaning that conditions could worsen before relief efforts can stabilize the situation. The unpredictable weather has made it difficult to forecast the full extent of the flooding, leaving communities on high alert. Local governments have been coordinating with national disaster response teams to monitor water levels, assess structural damage, and prioritize evacuations, particularly in vulnerable rural areas and mountainous regions prone to landslides.

The human toll of the floods is compounded by the vulnerability of affected populations. Many residents live in low-lying areas or informal settlements that are highly susceptible to flooding. Families face not only the immediate threat of rising waters but also the long-term challenges of displacement, property loss, and disrupted livelihoods. Military and emergency personnel continue to work tirelessly to rescue stranded individuals, transport essential supplies, and ensure that temporary shelters are adequately equipped to handle the influx of evacuees. Despite these efforts, the scale of the disaster has stretched resources thin, underscoring the need for national and international support.

Photographs shared by local media depict the dire conditions faced by affected communities. People can be seen wading through chest-deep water, attempting to salvage belongings from submerged homes. In urban areas, cars and motorcycles are stranded, while commercial establishments and marketplaces have been inundated. The destruction of roads, bridges, and transportation infrastructure has also complicated logistics for relief operations, delaying the delivery of food, clean water, and medical supplies to the hardest-hit regions.

Landslides have further exacerbated the crisis, cutting off access to key highways and isolating remote villages. In Lam Dong province, officials reported that landslides had damaged major roads, leaving some areas accessible only by foot or specialized vehicles. Emergency crews are assessing the damage and working to clear debris, but heavy rains continue to hinder progress. Residents are being urged to follow evacuation orders, avoid flooded areas, and take precautions to protect themselves and their families.

As the central government and local authorities coordinate their response, the international community has expressed concern over the scale of the disaster and the urgent need for humanitarian aid. Relief organizations are preparing to provide food, water, medical assistance, and temporary shelter to those affected, while monitoring the situation closely for potential secondary hazards such as disease outbreaks and further flooding. The unprecedented rainfall and resulting floods highlight the growing challenges posed by climate change in the region, as extreme weather events become more frequent and intense.

The floods in central Vietnam are not only a test of emergency preparedness but also a stark reminder of the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters. With millions affected, including families, farmers, and business owners, the disaster has placed immense pressure on local infrastructure, healthcare services, and government agencies. Military and emergency teams remain on high alert, working around the clock to ensure that those at greatest risk are evacuated and that essential services are maintained.

In the coming days, authorities will continue to monitor weather conditions, assess the impact of the floods, and coordinate recovery efforts. While immediate priorities include saving lives and providing relief to displaced families, long-term strategies will be required to rebuild infrastructure, restore livelihoods, and improve resilience to future flooding events. Residents are being advised to remain vigilant, follow official guidance, and cooperate with emergency personnel to minimize the risk of further casualties.

As Vietnam confronts this devastating flood, the resilience of its people and the effectiveness of emergency response efforts will be crucial in mitigating the human and economic toll of the disaster. The events of the past week underscore the importance of disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and coordinated response efforts in the face of increasingly extreme weather. For thousands of families, the coming days will be a critical period of survival, recovery, and rebuilding, as the nation grapples with the immediate and long-term consequences of one of its worst flooding events in recent history.