HANOI, Nov 19 — Torrential rains and flooding have left nine people dead, six missing, and 19 injured, forcing the evacuation of nearly 16,000 residents across the central and Central Highlands regions in Vietnam.
The Vietnam News Agency reported that according to the Disaster and Dyke Management Authority's Department under the Agriculture and Environment Ministry, as of 11am today, flooding had damaged 85 houses and submerged 20,454 homes, an increase of nearly 6,700 compared to the previous day.
Floods have also damaged nearly 9,950 hectares of rice and crops and killed or swept away more than 6,400 cattle and poultry.
Transport networks remain severely disrupted due to landslides and flooding, while coastal and river dike systems have sustained significant damage.
Water levels on major rivers remain high, submerging several dike systems in affected areas, while authorities continue search-and-rescue operations, monitor reservoirs, regulate traffic in flooded and landslide-prone zones, and assess ongoing damage.
Amid worsening conditions in eastern Đắk Lắk, Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Quốc Dũng inspected heavily flooded areas and instructed the authorities to urgently relocate residents from high-risk zones before nightfall, including, if necessary, by helicopter when weather permits.
Almost all communes and wards in northeastern Đắk Lắk remain deeply inundated, with rescue operations hindered by adverse weather and limited access. Some areas lack boats, while others cannot be reached due to rapidly rising waters.
The Ba Ha River hydropower plant released over 10,000 m³/s of water this morning, compounding flooding downstream.
Military Region Five has mobilised additional personnel and equipment to assist evacuation efforts. By early afternoon, National Highway One and all other major routes across Đắk Lắk were cut off, complicating rescue and relief operations.
