South-central Vietnam floods leave 72 dead, dozens missing as relief efforts continue

The Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority reported that the hardest-hit province, Dak Lak, accounted for 44 deaths and eight missing as of 5:00 pm. 

Other fatalities included 14 in Khanh Hoa, five in Lam Dong, five in Gia Lai, and two each in Hue and Da Nang.

Widespread flooding persisted in Dak Lak, where four communes and wards, including Hoa Xuan, Dong Hoa, Hoa Thinh, and Hoa My, remained submerged. 

In Khanh Hoa, floodwaters had largely receded, leaving 87 households in Dien Dien and Hoa Tri Communes still affected. 

Lam Dong recorded 127 households still underwater, while Gia Lai reported no remaining flooded homes.

Power outages affected more than 258,000 customers, and communications remained disrupted, with 552 base transceiver stations offline and 73 out of 301 communes in Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak cut off from provincial data networks due to the power loss.

Transportation was gradually returning to normal. National Highway 1 was fully reopened, but 16 sections of other highways remained blocked by localized flooding and landslides.

Authorities said immediate relief needs included thousands of tonnes of rice, medical supplies, and chemicals to treat water and sanitation systems. 

Rescue and relief teams continued to reach isolated areas, distribute supplies, and assess damage as the government prepared for ongoing heavy rains in the coming days.