Extreme rain causes deadly flooding in central Vietnam

Heavy rains during the past few days have flooded Vietnam's central and central highland regions, leaving at least five people dead and more than 5 600 displaced. Between November 28 and December 1, up to 986 mm (39 inches) of rain has been recorded, according to Vietnam’s Disaster Management Agency (VNDMA)

Heavy rains damaged at least eight houses and flooded 180 others, while landslides also hit several roads in many provinces, including Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak, and Quang Nam, the worst-hit area, the country's Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control reported Wednesday, December 2.

In a period of four days, Ho Am Chua Lake in Khanh Hoa province recorded up to 820 mm (32 inches) of rain, while Tam Tra in Quang Nam recorded 986 mm (39 inches), the VNDMA said.

Four fatalities were reported in Khan Hoa, while around 2 574 people were evacuated from their homes. Many of the affected people were in the coastal town of Nha Trang, where floodwaters reached up to 0.5 m (1.6 feet) as of Tuesday, December 1.

In the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, one person died while another is still missing. Around 45 people were evacuated from their residences in Dak Lak.

In Quang Nam Province, including the provincial capital Tam Ky, severe flooding forced a total of 1 993 people to evacuate, while a further 1 062 others were also displaced in Quang Ngai.

From October to November, widespread flooding from successive storms ravaged the country's central provinces. As of late November, the UN reported that at least 239 people were dead or missing and around 1.5 million were directly affected.

Featured image credit: Australian Red Cross