Central Vietnam is reeling from deadly floods and landslides caused by torrential rain since the weekend, with at least eight people killed and multiple others missing, according to a government report on Wednesday (Nov 19).
Rainfall since Saturday night has exceeded 1,100mm in several areas, affecting key coffee-growing regions as well as some of the country’s most popular beaches.
Among the fatalities, six bus passengers were killed in a landslide on Sunday while traveling from Da Lat to Nha Trang. Seven people remain missing, including three reportedly buried under a landslide in Danang.
“Some coffee farms in low-lying areas of Dak Lak are deep in floodwater,” a local coffee trader said, warning that the ongoing harvest is being slowed by the heavy rain. Farmers have only managed to harvest 10–15% of the beans, which need sunlight to dry.
State media photos showed homes in several villages flooded up to the roof, with residents stranded and calling for help. Hundreds of families were evacuated, and in nearby Gia Lai province, schools were forced to close, affecting 26,000 students.
The UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An, still recovering from floods two weeks ago, is once again seeing streets submerged, with tourists and residents navigating the waters by boat past inundated cafes and historic wooden houses.
Vietnam’s national weather forecast agency has warned of continued heavy rain, with more flooding and landslides expected in the coming days.
