Post by : Rameen Ariff

Central Vietnam is grappling with devastating floods and relentless rains that have claimed at least 41 lives since this past weekend. Search efforts continue for nine individuals who are still reported missing. Over 52,000 homes are inundated, and around 500,000 households and businesses are without electricity. Thousands of residents have been moved to safer locations.

Some areas have received more than 1.5 meters (5 feet) of rainfall in just three days, surpassing records set during the 1993 floods. Coastal cities like Hoi An and Nha Trang, along with crucial coffee-growing regions in the central highlands, are experiencing the most damage. Farmers in Dak Lak province, the largest coffee-producing area in the country, are facing significant challenges as previous storms have already compromised their crops.

This year, Vietnam has dealt with extreme weather conditions, with natural disasters incurring damages estimated at $2 billion from January to October. Recent typhoons, Kalmaegi and Bualoi, have also led to deaths and widespread destruction over previous months.

Military and police forces have been deployed to establish emergency shelters and to assist in the evacuation of residents. Major roadways and highways have suffered damage due to landslides, with the Mimosa Pass in Lam Dong province collapsing into a ravine, disrupting traffic, and nearly causing a bus to plunge into the chasm. Emergency footage depicts individuals stranded on rooftops and bridges being torn apart by the floodwaters.

Local business owners are feeling the impact, as floodwaters inundate their shops and restaurants. A restaurant owner in Nha Trang expressed her concerns, stating, "I worry about my furniture, but there’s nothing I can do right now. I don’t think the water will go down soon since the rain hasn’t let up."

Earlier this month, Typhoon Kalmaegi resulted in at least five deaths in central Vietnam after making landfall with severe winds, uprooting trees and damaging homes. In September, another typhoon, Bualoi, claimed at least 11 lives in central and northern Vietnam. Experts are warning that climate change is exacerbating the severity and frequency of typhoons in the region.

Authorities remain vigilant as they monitor the conditions, cautioning that significant rainfall might continue into at least Sunday and urging residents to adhere to evacuation guidelines.

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