HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Rescuers and aid workers in central Vietnam are urgently working to reach isolated regions affected by severe floods and landslides, which have resulted in at least 37 fatalities. The situation is expected to worsen as another typhoon approaches, predicted to make landfall later this week, according to officials on Monday.
Days of record rainfall that began in late October have triggered flash floods and landslides, inundating villages, sweeping away homes, and displacing tens of thousands of residents. Many neighborhoods, including areas in Danang, are still without power and are cut off from data networks. Canals, riverbanks, and coastlines have faced significant erosion, with several national highways remaining blocked by debris.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Kalmaegi is anticipated to rapidly intensify, heading toward Vietnam's central coast. It is expected to bring winds of up to 166 kph (103 mph) when it crosses into the South China Sea on Wednesday after passing over the Philippines. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting in Vietnam has issued warnings regarding the impending storm.
Rescuers managed to reach many stranded residents late last week as floodwaters briefly receded, but by Monday morning, rivers were rising again. The Huong and Bo rivers in Hue City have reached dangerously high levels, and state media reported that heavy rainfall is expected to continue across the region.
In response to the floods, authorities have dispatched essential supplies including food, clean water, medicine, and shelter while assisting families in rebuilding their damaged homes. Crews are working on clearing debris, restoring power and water supplies, and re-establishing transportation links to prevent disease outbreaks. The government is also focused on repairing irrigation systems and supporting farmers to resume crop and livestock production as the floodwaters begin to recede.
The death toll from these recent floods and landslides has risen to 37, with five individuals reported missing and 78 others injured. This year has seen Vietnam battered by a relentless series of storms that leave little time for recovery between disasters. Typhoon Ragasa inundated the region with torrential rain in late September, followed by Typhoon Bualoi which struck the central coast, and Typhoon Matmo, which caused additional flooding in northern areas.
Together, these three storms have resulted in over 85 fatalities or missing persons in just two weeks, with damages estimated at $1.36 billion. Vietnam stands as one of the world’s most flood-prone countries, with nearly half of its population residing in high-risk areas. Climate scientists warn that a warming climate is exacerbating storm intensity and rainfall across Southeast Asia, suggesting that floods of this magnitude are becoming increasingly frequent and destructive.
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Aniruddha Ghosal, The Associated Press
