Death Toll Climbs to 55 in Central Vietnam as Floods, Landslides Wreak Havoc

Central Vietnam is reeling after a week of relentless rain and flooding, with the confirmed death toll now at 55.

Authorities also report 13 people remain missing as rescue operations continue.

Some areas of the region recorded staggering rainfall as much as 1,900 mm (74.8 inches) over the past week. The deluge triggered widespread landslides and forced rivers to overflow, plunging entire communities into chaos.

Dak Lak province has been hit hardest, accounting for 27 of the fatalities, followed by Khanh Hoa province with 14 deaths. Other affected regions include Gia Lai and Lam Dong, each reporting five deaths, and smaller numbers in Hue and Da Nang.

The scale of the disaster is vast: more than 235,000 homes have been flooded, and nearly 80,000 hectares of crops have been damaged or destroyed. Livestock losses are massive too, with over 3.2 million poultry and other animals reported killed or swept away.

Economic estimates place the damage at approximately 8.98 trillion Vietnamese dong (about US$341 million), underlining the devastating financial impact in addition to the human toll.

On a somewhat hopeful note, river water levels have started to recede in many of the hardest-hit provinces. However, even as the waters drop, rescue teams face a race against time to find those still missing and to deliver urgent aid to isolated communities.

The persistent rainfall has also disrupted infrastructure. Many roads remain blocked by landslides, complicating relief missions.

The disaster has struck one of Vietnam’s critical economic zones — central Vietnam is not only a major coffee-growing region but also a popular tourist destination.

In response, local and national authorities have mobilized rescue forces, including the army and police, to evacuate residents, provide medical care, and distribute food and supplies. The scale of the calamity could worsen if more rain falls.

This tragedy underscores how climate extremes are intensifying in Southeast Asia, with Vietnam particularly vulnerable to flooding and landslides.

Experts point to increasingly erratic weather patterns, driven in part by climate change, as a mounting threat to both lives and livelihoods in the region.