Floods in central Vietnam leave 15 dead or missing.

Mr. Hoang Van Dai, Deputy Director of the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, has just provided information on the flood situation on rivers in Central Vietnam and further warnings.

Accordingly, as of today (November 19th), the water levels in the Kon River (Gia Lai), Ba River, and Krong Ana River (Dak Lak) are rising; the Bo River and Huong River (Hue City), and other rivers from Da Nang City to Khanh Hoa are fluctuating.

Forecasts indicate that over the next 12 hours, flood levels on the Kon River will continue to rise and remain above flood warning level 3 (flood warning level 3), while the Ba River at the Phu Lam station will continue to rise and remain above flood warning level 3 (at the historical flood level of 1993: 5.21m); flood levels on the Tra Khuc, Thu Bon, and Krong Ana rivers will continue to rise and remain above flood warning level 2 (flood warning level 2).

Over the next 24 hours, flood levels in major rivers are likely to remain very high, while widespread flooding is expected in provinces from Hue to Khanh Hoa.

Mr. Dai stated that, in response to these dangerous developments, at 9:00 AM this morning, the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting issued a level 4 natural disaster risk warning for the eastern part of Dak Lak province.

"This is an exceptionally serious alert, issued when the area faces a combination of dangers including: major floods, flash floods, and landslides, which have the potential to cause significant damage to lives, property, and infrastructure," Mr. Dai emphasized.

In addition, river basins from Hue to Khanh Hoa province are also forecast to be at level 3.

Mr. Dai noted that currently, the risk of flash floods on small rivers and streams and landslides on slopes in Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands is very high. Many residential areas, especially low-lying areas, downstream of reservoirs, and riverside areas, are likely to be deeply flooded in the coming hours.

The center advises people to limit travel through areas with deep flooding, submerged bridges, and slopes prone to landslides; and to proactively evacuate from dangerous areas as required by local authorities. Subsequent updates will be provided continuously, especially when there are changes in the operation and regulation of upstream reservoirs.

Fifteen people have died or are missing.

According to the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), floods in Central Vietnam have resulted in 15 deaths and missing persons (an increase of 3 cases compared to the figures compiled on the evening of November 17).

Specifically, as of the evening of November 18th, there were 9 deaths, including 8 in Khanh Hoa province and 1 in Hue city; and 6 missing victims from 3 localities: Quang Tri, Khanh Hoa, and Da Nang. The total number of people injured due to landslides and floods remains at 19 (as reported on the evening of November 17th).

More than 17,700 houses were flooded in four provinces and cities: Quang Tri, Hue, Gia Lai, and Khanh Hoa (Hue and Khanh Hoa were the most affected).

In addition, nearly 8,400 hectares of rice and other crops were flooded, mainly in Khanh Hoa province, and more than 6,000 livestock and poultry were killed or swept away (most in Dak Lak province)...

Heavy rain continues, with some areas receiving 400mm.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, heavy to very heavy rain fell last night and this morning in Da Nang City and the eastern provinces from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa. Rainfall amounts from 7 PM on November 18th to 8 AM this morning exceeded 260mm in some areas, such as: Ba Dien station (Quang Ngai) 260.6mm, Hoa My Tay station (Dak Lak) 529.8mm, Canh Lien station (Gia Lai) 320.1mm, etc.

Analyzing the rainfall trends in the coming days, Mr. Nguyen Van Huong, Head of the Weather Forecasting Department, said that areas from Hue to Khanh Hoa will continue to be affected by cold air and easterly winds, causing prolonged heavy rain; warning of a very high risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, along with flooding in low-lying urban areas.

Specifically, from this morning until tomorrow night (November 20th), the Da Nang area, the eastern parts of Quang Ngai to Dak Lak provinces, and the northern part of Khanh Hoa will continue to experience heavy to very heavy rain with rainfall amounts generally ranging from 100-300mm, and in some localized areas exceeding 400mm.

The southern area of ​​Khanh Hoa province is experiencing moderate to heavy rain with rainfall amounts of 60-120mm, and in some localized areas, very heavy rain exceeding 200mm.

Meanwhile, today and tonight, the Central Highlands region will experience moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, with some areas experiencing very heavy rain, with rainfall amounts of 30-60mm, and some areas exceeding 100mm.

Warning: Heavy rainfall intensity exceeding >200mm/3h.

Additionally, today and tonight, the Hue City area and eastern Lam Dong province will experience rain, moderate rain, and thunderstorms with rainfall amounts ranging from 20-40mm, and locally heavy rain exceeding 80mm in some areas.

The areas of Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, and Southern Vietnam will experience scattered showers and thunderstorms, with some areas receiving heavy rain with rainfall amounts of 15-30mm, and some areas exceeding 50mm (in Southern Vietnam, rain will be concentrated in the afternoon and evening).

During thunderstorms, there is a possibility of tornadoes, lightning, hail, and strong gusts of wind.

Subsequently, on November 21st, both day and night, the Da Nang area and the eastern parts of the provinces from Quang Ngai to Dak Lak, as well as northern Khanh Hoa, experienced moderate to heavy rainfall with amounts ranging from 30-60mm, and in some localized areas, very heavy rain exceeding 120mm.