More than 300 dead and 189 000 affected as floods and landslides hit northern and central Vietnam
Heavy rainfall brought by multiple tropical cyclones and monsoon interactions affected northern and central Vietnam from October through mid-November 2025, triggering flooding and landslides that killed at least 300 people and affected around 189 000. Vietnam activated the Union Civil Protection Mechanism on November 13 to request emergency assistance, while rainfall totals of up to 500 mm (20 inches) were forecast through November 20, maintaining high risks of renewed flooding and landslides.
Satellite image acquired at 04:20 UTC on November 19, 2025. Credit: JMA/Himawari-9, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
A sequence of late-season tropical systems and monsoon interactions produced prolonged rainfall across large parts of Vietnam beginning in early October.
Typhoons Kalmaegi and Fengshen tracked over the South China Sea, directing persistent moisture into central and northern regions. Their combined influence triggered flash floods, river overflows, and hundreds of landslides in mountainous terrain.
UNICEF and the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) reported at least 300 fatalities and nearly 190 000 people affected.
More than 220 000 houses were flooded, damaged, or destroyed, along with widespread losses to roads, schools, and agricultural land.
Extremely heavy rainfall overwhelmed river systems, including the Thu Bon, Vu Gia, and Ca basins. Central provinces such as Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Thua Thien-Hue, and Nghe An recorded the heaviest impacts, where saturated soils led to multiple landslides and ongoing instability.
The country activated the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) on November 13, requesting shelter, hygiene, health, and rescue support. Luxembourg offered shelter items through the mechanism. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMSR848) was activated on October 30 to produce satellite-based flood delineation and damage mapping in support of national authorities.
Forecasts from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) and the NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) indicated continued rainfall through 20, with two-day totals of 150–300 mm (6–12 inches) and isolated 350–500 mm (14–20 inches).
High river levels and saturated terrain sustain the potential for renewed flooding and landslides in affected areas.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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