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Days of record rain that began in late October triggered flash
floods and landslides that inundated villages, swept away homes
and displaced tens of thousands.
Many neighborhoods remained without power or cut off from data
networks, including in Danang. Canals, riverbanks and coastlines
were also eroded, and several national highways were still
blocked.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Kalmaegi is forecast to rapidly strengthen as
it heads toward Vietnam’s central coast, with winds potentially
reaching up to 166 kph (103 mph) when it enters the South China
Sea on Wednesday, after crossing the Philippines, according to
Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
Rescuers reached many stranded residents late last week as
floodwaters briefly receded, but by Monday morning rivers were
rising again. The Huong and Bo rivers in Hue City reached
dangerous levels, and officials warned that heavy rain is
expected to continue across the region, state media said.
State media said authorities sent food, clean water, medicine
and shelter while helping families rebuild damaged homes. Teams
worked to clean debris, restore power, water and transport links
and prevent disease outbreaks. The government was also repairing
irrigation systems and supporting farmers to restart crop and
livestock production as floodwaters recede.
The death toll from the most recent floods and landslides rose
to 37 on Monday, with five people missing and 78 injured,
officials said.
Vietnam has been pummeled by a relentless series of storms this
year, leaving little time to recover between disasters. Typhoon
Ragasa dumped torrential rain in late September, then Typhoon
Bualoi slammed the central coast and Typhoon Matmo resulted in
flooding in the north.
Together, the three storms had left more than 85 people dead or
missing in two weeks, and caused an estimated $1.36 billion in
damage.
Vietnam is among the world’s most flood-prone countries, with
nearly half its population living in high-risk areas. Scientists
warn that a warming climate is intensifying storms and rainfall
across Southeast Asia, making floods like this year’s
increasingly destructive and frequent.
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