CaliToday (01/11/2025): Central Vietnam is grappling with a severe natural disaster as of Saturday night (Nov 1, 2025), as a lethal combination of a cold front and strong easterly wind disturbances continues to unleash relentless, torrential rain.
The deluge has caused widespread, devastating floods and catastrophic landslides, resulting in a rising death toll, the inundation of thousands of homes, and the total collapse of critical transport infrastructure, cutting off entire regions.
The historic city of Hue is one of the hardest-hit areas. Authorities confirmed tonight that the death toll from the flooding has risen, with reports of residents being swept away by the violent waters. In Thua Thien-Hue province, nearly 6,000 homes remain deeply submerged as floodwaters continue to pour in from overwhelmed rivers.
Infrastructure "Obliterated"
The region's transport network has been shattered, severing vital north-south links.
Authorities report that several key national arteries, including the Ho Chi Minh Highway and the Truong Son Dong Road (Ho Chi Minh Trail East), have been "obliterated" in multiple sections. Massive landslides have buried parts of the roads or caused entire segments to wash away, making them completely impassable.
Further south, the crucial Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet Expressway has also been severely impacted by the heavy rain and runoff, grinding commercial and civilian traffic to a halt.
1,700 People Isolated in Mountainous Siege
The human crisis is starkly illustrated in the remote, mountainous Quang Ngai province.
In the Ngoc Linh commune, approximately 1,700 people are completely isolated and have been cut off for several days. Landslides have destroyed all access roads, leaving the community stranded.
A desperate relief operation is underway. A team of more than 100 soldiers and local volunteers has been mobilized. With roads impassable, they are forced to cut new trails through the dense jungle, manually backpacking (gùi) essential food, medicine, and supplies to the trapped residents.
The situation remains highly precarious as forecasters warn of more rain. Compounding the crisis, authorities are tracking a new tropical depression in the South China Sea (Biển Đông) that is threatening to strengthen and bring another round of catastrophic weather to the already-saturated region.