Death Toll Rises to 90 in Vietnam’s Worst Northern Floods in Years
Torrential rains unleash deadly floods, devastating northern provinces.
Vietnam's northern regions are reeling from one of the most severe flooding events in recent memory, with the Environment Ministry reporting the death toll climbing to 90 as of Sunday, a stark escalation from earlier figures that underscores the relentless fury of torrential rains and swollen rivers that have displaced thousands and submerged vast swathes of farmland.
The deluge, triggered by continuous downpours exceeding 500 mm in just 48 hours across provinces like Yen Bai, Lao Cai, and Son La, has not only claimed lives through drownings and landslides but also inflicted widespread destruction on infrastructure, with over 1,200 houses partially or fully damaged and more than 150,000 residents evacuated to emergency shelters as authorities race to prevent further casualties.
Agricultural devastation has been profound, with approximately 12,000 hectares of rice paddies and cash crops—primarily tea and fruit orchards—wiped out, exacerbating food security concerns in an area already vulnerable to climate variability; rescue operations involving over 5,000 personnel have retrieved bodies from mudslides and raging waters, while the ministry warns of additional risks from potential disease outbreaks in overcrowded relief camps.
Also Read: Typhoon Kalmaegi Hits Vietnam After Deadly Philippines Strike, Killing 5
In a coordinated response, the central government has mobilized military units for search-and-rescue efforts and allocated emergency funds totaling VND 500 billion for immediate reconstruction, with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directing local administrations to prioritize vulnerable populations and accelerate damage assessments to mitigate long-term economic fallout estimated in billions of dong.
Meteorological forecasts indicate a brief respite mid-week, but experts caution that the La Nina pattern could prolong the monsoon season, heightening the threat of renewed flooding; as communities mourn their losses and rebuild, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of Vietnam's escalating battle against climate-induced extremes in its flood-prone highlands.
Also Read: Typhoon Kalmaegi: 59 Lives Lost in Philippines, Nearly 500,000 Displaced
