Vietnam flooding kills at least 90

Vietnam’s Flood Tragedy: A Nation Underwater

At least 90 lives have been lost in Vietnam due to relentless flooding and landslides, leaving communities devastated, homes destroyed, and economic losses soaring into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

The recent floods in Vietnam are a stark reminder of the vulnerability of Southeast Asia to climate extremes. Since late October, unrelenting rain has battered south-central Vietnam, overwhelming both coastal cities and mountainous provinces.

Popular tourist destinations such as Nha Trang and Da Lat, usually bustling with visitors, have instead become scenes of destruction. Streets turned into rivers, homes submerged, and landslides tore through highland passes, cutting off vital roadways and isolating communities. In Dak Lak province alone, more than 60 deaths were recorded, with tens of thousands of homes inundated.

Survivors’ accounts paint a harrowing picture. Families were forced to climb onto rooftops to escape rising waters, stranded for days without food or supplies. One farmer described how his neighborhood was “completely destroyed, covered in mud,” a haunting testament to the scale of devastation. The Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment confirmed that at least 12 people remain missing, underscoring the ongoing uncertainty and danger.

Beyond the human toll, the economic impact is staggering. Authorities estimate losses exceeding $340 million across five provinces. Agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure have all been severely disrupted.

Coffee harvests in the central highlands, a crucial export for Vietnam, have been hindered, while coastal businesses dependent on tourism face ruin. The floods have not only destroyed livelihoods but also exposed weaknesses in disaster preparedness and urban planning.

This tragedy raises urgent questions about climate resilience. Vietnam, with its long coastline and dense river systems, is particularly exposed to extreme weather events.

Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying rainfall patterns, making floods more frequent and severe. Yet the disaster also highlights human factors: rapid urbanization, deforestation, and inadequate drainage systems exacerbate the damage.

The editorial lesson here is clear: Vietnam’s floods are not just a natural disaster, but a wake-up call. The government must prioritize investment in flood defenses, early warning systems, and sustainable land management. International cooperation will also be vital, as climate change knows no borders.

For the families mourning loved ones, the tragedy is deeply personal. For the nation, it is a test of resilience. And for the world, it is another reminder that the climate crisis is not a distant threat, it is here, reshaping lives and landscapes today.