Central Vietnam is recovering from its worst deluge in history after torrential rains that washed away homes, schools, and entire towns while crippling transportation and communication networks. Hue suffered a historic inundation, with 1,085 millimeters (42 inches) of rain falling in a 24-hour period. As rivers burst their banks, engulfing houses, rice paddies and vacation resorts, this brutal climate disaster cut off electricity for more than 306,000 homes and businesses in Hue, Danang and Quang Tri.
This area of Vietnam is significantly impacted by regular, intense flooding. Global warming exacerbates this extreme weather, including segregated neighborhoods, which compounds the crisis. Experts echo that climate change is increasingly making tropical storms more chaotic, including dropping more rain and increasing the risks of flooding.
Impact on Daily Life and Infrastructure
This year’s flooding has changed day-to-day life in central Vietnam more than anyone could imagine. More than 1,000 residents in rural pockets of the Thua Thien Hue province have found themselves isolated due to rising waters and landslides. At the same time, the scene is bleak at Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation for about 200 kids. These children’s educational lives are uprooted thanks to recent floodwaters.
Transportation has been hit hard, with the rail link between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City currently under suspension. Further, this decision has thrown thousands of current and prospective passengers into disarray as they find alternative means of travel.
“The flood was rising so fast and we had to quickly relocate our guests to other hotels outside the flooding area for their safety,” – Nguyen Ngoc Anh
Current Conditions and Future Risks
It goes without saying that the water levels are rising fast. In Hue, the Perfume River has reached upwards of 15 feet, and in some parts of the city, it has reached up to waist-level. As our preliminary report detailed, major rivers in central Vietnam are at their most polluted state. It’s expected that continuing, severe flooding will plague the region over the next several days.
Authorities caution that landslides are a significant danger in the area. This new threat will add significantly to the challenges facing rescue and recovery operations. A category five hurricane is tearing through the Caribbean. This ironic twist underscores the global, interconnected nature of climate-related disasters.
Broader Context of Natural Disasters
This year, Vietnam has faced a historic sequence of deadly natural disasters. Almost 200 people have perished as a result of flooding and other disasters. In the first nine months alone, natural disasters have caused significant property damage estimated at 16.1 trillion dong (approximately $611 million). The current flooding in central Vietnam serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change and the ongoing need for effective disaster response strategies.
