Severe flooding and landslides triggered by continuous heavy rainfall have left at least 55 people dead in central Vietnam. The country’s disaster management agency reported on Saturday (22 November) that 13 people are still missing, according to a report by Reuters.
Over the past week, some areas in central Vietnam recorded more than 1,900 millimeters (74.8 inches) of rainfall. Although the region is known for being Vietnam’s top coffee-producing zone and home to popular beach destinations, it remains highly vulnerable to storms and flooding.
Nearly half of the fatalities were reported in Dak Lak province, where 27 people died. The Khanh Hoa province reported 14 deaths.
Government estimates show that the flooding has caused about $341 million in economic losses so far.
Vietnam’s disaster agency added that more than 235,000 homes have been submerged, and close to 80,000 hectares of farmland have been damaged.
