Catastrophic flooding and landslides in central and southern Vietnam kill at least 90

Severe flooding and landslides in central and southern Vietnam have killed at least 90 people after days of relentless heavy rain, authorities said, as communities across multiple provinces were inundated and isolated by rising waters. Torrential rainfall since mid-November overwhelmed rivers and drainage systems in provinces including Đắk Lắk, Khánh Hòa, Quảng Ngãi, Gia Lai, and Lâm Đồng, triggering deadly landslides in mountainous areas and sweeping floodwaters through towns and agricultural plains. Many victims were buried by mudslides or caught in fast-moving floodwaters, while dozens more remain missing, according to official reports. Whole neighbourhoods were submerged as rivers breached embankments and rain totals exceeded normal seasonal levels, leaving hundreds of homes damaged or destroyed and disrupting transport and power networks. Tens of thousands of residents were forced to evacuate or take refuge on rooftops as rescue teams worked with helicopters and boats to reach isolated communities. Flooding has also devastated farmland and livestock, destroying crops and contributing to significant economic losses. The Vietnamese government mobilised military, police, and disaster response units to deliver emergency aid, including food, clean water, and medical supplies, and announced financial support for affected provinces to assist in rebuilding and recovery. Officials warned that continued rainfall could exacerbate conditions and urged residents to remain cautious as relief and restoration efforts continue across the hardest-hit areas.