Rescuers in central Vietnam are racing to reach communities isolated by flash floods and landslides that have killed at least 37 people, with 5 missing and 78 injured. Days of record rain in late October inundated villages, damaged infrastructure and displaced tens of thousands. Typhoon Kalmaegi is forecast to strengthen and may bring winds up to 166 kph (103 mph) as it nears the central coast. Authorities are distributing relief supplies, restoring services and helping farmers recover while officials warn climate change is intensifying storms in the region.
Central Vietnam Floods Kill 37 as Typhoon Kalmaegi Looms Over Central Coast
Rescuers in central Vietnam are racing to reach communities isolated by flash floods and landslides that have killed at least 37 people, with 5 missing and 78 injured. Days of record rain in late October inundated villages, damaged infrastructure and displaced tens of thousands. Typhoon Kalmaegi is forecast to strengthen and may bring winds up to 166 kph (103 mph) as it nears the central coast. Authorities are distributing relief supplies, restoring services and helping farmers recover while officials warn climate change is intensifying storms in the region.
11:45, 03.11.2025Environment
Rescue operations continue as another storm approaches
HANOI — Rescuers and aid teams in central Vietnam raced on Monday to reach communities cut off by catastrophic floods and landslides that have killed at least 37 people. Officials warned the situation could worsen as Typhoon Kalmaegi is forecast to strengthen and approach the central coast later this week.
Flash floods, landslides and damage
Days of record rainfall that began in late October produced sudden flash floods and deadly landslides, inundating villages, sweeping away homes and forcing tens of thousands to flee. Many districts remain without electricity or disconnected from mobile and data networks, including parts of Da Nang. Canals, riverbanks and long stretches of coastline were eroded, and several national highways remain blocked by debris and mudslides.
New typhoon threat
Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said Typhoon Kalmaegi could rapidly intensify and produce winds of up to 166 kph (103 mph) as it enters the South China Sea on Wednesday after crossing the Philippines. Authorities warned that rivers already weakened by recent rains — including the Huong and Bo rivers in Hue City — have risen to dangerous levels and could surge again with additional rainfall.
Relief and recovery efforts
State agencies and aid groups have been distributing food, clean water, medicine and temporary shelter. Teams are clearing debris, restoring power and water services, repairing transport links and working to prevent disease outbreaks. The government is also repairing irrigation infrastructure and helping farmers restart crop planting and livestock production as floodwaters recede in some areas.
Latest official figures: 37 dead, 5 missing and 78 injured.
Storms this season and the climate context
Vietnam has been struck by a relentless series of storms this year, leaving little time to recover between disasters. In recent months Typhoon Ragasad brought torrential rain in late September, followed by Typhoon Bualoi on the central coast and Typhoon Matmo in the north. Those three storms together left more than 85 people dead or missing and caused an estimated $1.36 billion in damage.
Vietnam is among the world’s most flood-prone countries, with nearly half of its population living in high-risk areas. Scientists say a warming climate is intensifying tropical storms and rainfall across Southeast Asia, making floods more frequent and destructive.
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