Central Vietnam Floods Worsen; Death Toll Rises to 16, Thousands Displaced

Vietnam Floods: At least 16 people have died in severe flooding and landslides that have ravaged central Vietnam since the weekend, with water levels rising even further in already submerged towns and villages. The region has recorded more than 1,500 mm of rainfall in just three days, crippling a key coffee-growing belt and swamping some of the country’s most popular tourist beaches. More than 43,000 homes and 10,000 hectares of crops are underwater, while major damage to power infrastructure has left over 553,000 households and businesses without electricity. Dramatic images show families stranded on rooftops pleading for help, prompting the deployment of naval rescue teams. A seven-year-old girl was pulled alive from a collapsed home after being buried by a landslip for over an hour. Authorities warn that more heavy rainfall, floods and landslides are expected, with danger levels continuing to rise.