Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
HANOI: Urgent rescue operations are underway in Vietnam as teams search for over a dozen individuals still unaccounted for following a week of devastating floods that have resulted in at least 55 fatalities, authorities reported on Saturday (Nov 22). Numerous provinces in south-central Vietnam have been affected, leading to widespread damage and the evacuation of residents from inundated homes and landslide-prone regions.
The region has been battered by relentless rain since late October, impacting both popular tourist sites and isolated communities. Coastal cities such as Nha Trang experienced severe flooding, submerging multiple city blocks, while hilly terrains near the Da Lat tourist area faced fatal landslides. Dak Lak province has emerged as the most affected zone, with more than two dozen confirmed deaths.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to assist trapped residents, some clinging to rooftops or lodged in treetops as floodwaters rage through their neighborhoods. Though the waters are receding, many roads remain impassable, isolating numerous towns. Over 300,000 individuals are currently without electricity following an outage that initially affected more than one million residents.
The Vietnamese environment ministry has confirmed a death toll of 55 across six provinces, with 13 individuals still missing. Ongoing efforts to locate and rescue those missing are being prioritized, while officials remind residents to heed safety measures and remain in secure locations until conditions start to improve.
Vietnam has been experiencing increasing natural disasters, with officials pointing to climate change as a factor in the rise of extreme weather. National statistics indicate that from January to October this year, floods, storms, and other calamities have led to 279 fatalities or missing persons and incurred damages exceeding US$2 billion nationwide.
Government representatives are collaborating with local authorities and response teams to deliver emergency supplies, including food, drinking water, and temporary shelters, to the impacted regions. Residents in vulnerable areas are being evacuated as a safety measure against additional landslides and flash floods.
Concerns about the long-term ramifications of these frequent floods on Vietnam's infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism have been raised. Authorities are closely monitoring weather forecasts, with predictions of more rain in some locales in the days ahead.
Leaders have urged citizens to stay alert and follow emergency protocols, emphasizing community cooperation to lessen further casualties and property damage.
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