Vietnam's Hue residents struggle through floodwaters as city remains submerged

At the Hung Vuong six-way intersection, floodwaters exceeded one meter, submerging streets and cutting off nearly all traffic.

Boats and rescue trucks replaced cars and motorcycles as the only viable means of transportation.

Carrying a bag of food through waist-deep water, 75-year-old Truong Cong Nam from Thuy Xuan Ward said he was bringing meals to his daughter's family, who had been stranded without electricity in Vy Da Ward for two days.

"I've lived with floods all my life, but I've never seen anything like this. The water rises fast but drains so slowly," he said.

Local authorities estimated that more than 35,000 homes across Hue were inundated, with water depths reaching up to two meters in several neighborhoods, including Quang Dien Commune and Hoa Chau Ward.

In Kim Long Ward, water levels stayed between 1.5 and 2 meters, forcing families to shelter on rooftops. Rescue teams from PUN Hue and PUN Quang Tri spent the day evacuating stranded residents and distributing food and water.

"We receive non-stop calls for help. Many families haven't eaten for two days," said Pham Tran Hung Tam, deputy leader of PUN Hue.

Nguyen Dinh Duc, director of Hue's Department of Agriculture and Environment, said one body was recovered near Thuan An Beach and a five-year-old child from Thuy Xuan Ward remains missing.

He reported that water levels on the Huong (Perfume) and Bo Rivers were still above alarm level 3, while flooding along the O Lau, Truoi, and Bu Lu Rivers had submerged 32 wards and communes. The slow drainage, he added, was caused by continued upstream rainfall combined with high coastal tides.

Below are photos of large parts of Hue City in central Vietnam under deep water on Tuesday because of historic flooding: