By Byron Merano
For over a week, Central Vietnam has been battered by relentless, record-breaking rainfall that has triggered catastrophic flooding and widespread destruction. This continuous downpour is being described as one of the longest in Vietnam’s history. While specific details linking it as the second longest after a 1966 Indian Ocean event are difficult to verify directly, the sheer duration and intensity have made it a disaster of historic proportions
Accumulated Rainfall and Hardest-Hit Regions
The accumulated rainfall has been staggering. Areas in the central region, particularly Thừa Thiên Huế and Đà Nẵng cities, have experienced extreme totals. The former imperial capital of Huế recorded between 800 mm and 1,500 mm during the peak period, with some stations seeing unprecedented single-day volumes. Notably, the Bạch Mã station registered an extreme high of 4,340 mm during the period from October 22 to 28, with a single-day total reaching 1,740 mm on October 27, marking the highest single-day total ever observed in Vietnam. Đà Nẵng also saw significant totals between 600 mm and 900 mm.
The central provinces of Quảng Trị and Quảng Ngãi have also been severely affected. Rivers like the Perfume (Hương) River in Huế and the Vu Gia–Thu Bồn river system in Đà Nẵng saw water levels rise alarmingly above alert level 3, submerging vast areas.
Widespread Flooding and Ongoing Inundation
The heavy, continuous rain and overflowing rivers have resulted in widespread inundation across Central Vietnam. Historic cities like Huế and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hội An were submerged, with reports of water reaching waist-deep or higher in many streets and residences. In Huế, 32 out of 40 communes were underwater, impacting tens of thousands of households.
As of the latest reports, many areas remain dangerously flooded. Besides Huế and Đà Nẵng, which continue to struggle with high river levels and persistent flooding in lowlands and near river banks, the northern province of Lạng Sơn has also seen protracted flooding. Specifically, Lan Dat Village in Hữu Liên Commune was reported to still have nearly 20 households living in deep floodwaters—in some cases up to the rooftops—weeks after the initial storm events due to clogged drainage outlets.
Devastating Effects on Livelihoods and Infrastructure
The floods have delivered a massive blow to the region’s economy, infrastructure, and social life.
Agriculture and Livelihoods
The impact on agriculture is profound, as much of the region’s arable land and cultivated areas were completely submerged. Key crops were destroyed, severely affecting the income and food security of farming communities. The damage extends to aquaculture and animal husbandry, with livestock and fisheries lost in the rising waters. Rural livelihoods, already vulnerable, face months of recovery.
Students and Education
The floods have significantly disrupted education. Many schools were closed, either due to inundation or being converted into temporary shelters for evacuees. The sheer scale of the disaster, including destroyed materials and lack of safe access, will delay the return to normal learning for thousands of students, compounding educational disadvantages.
Infrastructure and Destruction
The destruction of infrastructure is extensive.
- Transportation: Major roads and bridges have been cut off or damaged by floodwaters and accompanying landslides. The vital railway line connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City was temporarily suspended, severely impacting national logistics and travel.
- Utilities: Widespread power outages affected hundreds of thousands of households and businesses in provinces like Huế, Đà Nẵng, and Quảng Trị.
- Homes and Heritage: Thousands of homes were flooded, forcing mass evacuations. The delicate wooden structures and historic buildings in UNESCO sites like Hội An and Huế face long-term damage from water seepage, threatening Vietnam’s cultural heritage.
The cumulative destruction has prompted the government to allocate emergency relief funds to the hardest-hit provinces to support urgent needs and recovery efforts.
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