Vietnam under water: dozens dead, economic damage exceeds 340 million dollars

Vietnam is going through one of the most difficult periods in recent years, following the torrential rains that hit the south and center of the country. According to a new report from the Ministry of Environment, at least 55 people have lost their lives in less than a week, and another 13 are missing, in the context of repeated floods that have covered cities, villages, agricultural crops and tourist areas. In some central regions, rainfall amounts exceeded 1,900 millimeters in a single week, an extreme level even for a country accustomed to the monsoon. The rains have turned roads into rivers, torn off roofs, blocked highways and forced thousands of people to take refuge in makeshift places. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to help hundreds of residents who had climbed trees or onto rooftops to escape the floods. In some areas, rescue efforts continued even after the waters had partially receded, with roads blocked and power outages affecting an estimated 300,000 people. The highest death toll was reported in Dak Lak province, where 27 people died. In Khanh Hoa, the death toll reached 14. In total, six provinces suffered major damage, with some areas reaching roof-level. More than 235,000 homes were flooded and nearly 80,000 hectares of crops were destroyed or severely damaged. The central region, a major producer of coffee, one of the country's main exports, is at risk of major losses due to the degradation of plantations.

• Severe economic impact

The Vietnamese government estimates that the damage caused by the floods amounts to approximately 8.98 trillion dong, equivalent to over 341 million dollars. Road infrastructure, tourist areas and agricultural sectors are among the most affected, and reconstruction will require months and substantial investments. The current situation amplifies the grim balance of 2024: between January and October, natural disasters in Vietnam caused 279 deaths or missing people, and total damage exceeded 2 billion dollars, according to official data. Although Vietnam experiences heavy rainfall annually between June and September, specialists point out that climate change is intensifying extreme phenomena, increasing the frequency and severity of floods. Rising global temperatures, melting glaciers and accelerated evaporation are causing an increasingly unpredictable and violent hydrological cycle. Scientists say Southeast Asian countries, especially those with vast coastlines and mountains near their coasts, are increasingly vulnerable to torrential rains, cyclones and flash floods. In the short term, authorities are continuing rescue operations and minimal reconstruction of essential infrastructure. In the long term, however, Vietnam needs to rethink its climate risk management strategies: strengthening levees, expanding urban drainage systems, upgrading transport infrastructure and investing in early warning technologies.

As the waters gradually recede, the country remains faced with an increasingly harsh reality: vulnerability to extreme weather events is a constant threat, and adaptation will require massive, coordinated and costly efforts.