A week of record rainfall and severe flooding in central Vietnam has led to tragic consequences. The confirmed death toll has been pushed to 40, as announced by authorities on Tuesday. The number of fatalities is expected to rise further. Meanwhile, another powerful storm is currently bearing down on the region, which has already been ravaged.
Vietnam’s central coast has been overwhelmed by torrential downpours. Streets in major cities were transformed into canals. Riverbanks burst, and some of the country’s most-visited historic areas were inundated.
In one 24-hour period, an astonishing 1.7 meters (5 feet 6 inches) of rain fell. This rainfall marks the highest amount ever recorded nationally in a single day.
Rescue Underway as Casualties Rise
The environment ministry’s disaster management agency confirmed the fatalities. These occurred across Hue, Da Nang, Lam Dong, and Quang Tri provinces. Six people remain missing.
The initial response was reported by Yousaf Hammad. He is a spokesman for the disaster management agency. Most of the 320 injured individuals sustained minor wounds. They were released after receiving treatment.
Rescue and emergency aid teams were quickly dispatched to the ground. Consequently, large-scale operations have been immediately commenced.
Typhoon Kalmaegi Approaches
The relentless onslaught of extreme weather is forecast to continue. The national weather bureau projects that Typhoon Kalmaegi will make landfall in the early hours of Friday morning.
Vietnam typically experiences heavy rains between June and September. Scientists note a clear pattern of human-driven climate change.
This makes extreme weather more frequent and destructive. While Vietnam usually experiences about ten typhoons or tropical storms annually, Kalmaegi is set to be the 13th storm of 2025.
The storm is currently lashing the Philippines. It has already resulted in at least two deaths there. Furthermore, it has displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Forecasters warn Kalmaegi could impact the Vietnamese coast. Winds of up to 166 kilometers per hour are expected as the typhoon approaches on Thursday.
Immense Damage to Agriculture and Homes
As of Tuesday, the central region was still reeling from the past week’s extreme flooding. Some remote areas remain cut off. This is due to landslides that blocked major roads.
The disaster agency provided a grim overview of the destruction:
- Nearly 80,000 houses remain submerged by floodwaters.
- Over 10,000 hectares of essential crops have been destroyed.
- More than 68,000 livestock and poultry were killed or swept away.
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