In Hue, Quang Tri, and Khanh Hoa, floodwaters have reached rooftops, halted production lines, and triggered widespread evacuations.
Relentless rains have inundated multiple areas across Hue and Quang Tri, swamping residential neighborhoods, submerging vehicles, and displacing thousands as authorities rush to respond.
Many areas in the mountainous commune of Ba Long are heavily flooded. Photo: CTV
On November 17, heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in Quang Tri’s mountainous districts such as Dakrong, Ba Long, Huong Hiep, Nam Hai Lang, and Hai Lang.
In Ba Long commune, roads and homes were submerged in some areas by as much as one meter, cutting off access to communities. The rapid rise of water flowing downstream left residents unprepared; motorbikes and cars were soaked in muddy floodwaters.
By morning, 210 households - nearly 800 people - had been evacuated from flooded zones to safety.
Residential area in Quang Tri Ward submerged by floodwaters. Photo: CTV
In Hai Lang commune, floodwaters swept through residential areas and over roads, turning them into fast-flowing, muddy streams. Nguyen Duc Phong, Chairman of the commune, reported that five hamlets were flooded, with Thuong Xa and Mai Dan being hit hardest. Local authorities deployed emergency crews to help residents relocate belongings and evacuate before waters rose further.
Along the banks of the Thach Han River in Quang Tri ward, the river swelled rapidly, inundating homes. Nguyen Van Tam, a resident of An Don quarter, left work to safeguard belongings and send his children to higher ground.
In Hue city, flood conditions worsened dramatically. Ho Don, Chairman of Phong Dien ward, reported rapid river rises submerging areas like Phong Thu, Dong Thai, and Hung Thai under 4.5–5 meters of water.
Floodwaters engulf Xuan Tuy Village (Dan Dien Commune, Hue City), located downstream of the Bo River. Photo: CTV
Across the ward, 173 homes were flooded between 2 to 2.5 meters deep, while others saw water levels between 0.5 to 0.8 meters. Floodwaters damaged property, including the Phong My Market, where goods belonging to 20 vendors were ruined after waters rose 2.5 meters.
Transportation was heavily affected. Sections of provincial roads 6 and 17 were completely submerged, prompting officials to restrict all traffic. By 10 a.m., 129 households (381 people) in Phong Dien had been evacuated to solid homes in neighboring areas. River levels continued to rise, with emergency crews on high alert.
Hue has now entered its fourth major flood wave in succession. City-wide flood sirens were activated again as waters surged through low-lying areas.
‘We only had time to run’: Flash floods force residents into churches, hilltops
A road in Quang Dien Commune is barricaded due to fast-flowing floodwaters, with all vehicle traffic suspended. Photo: CTV
In Ba Long commune of Quang Tri, where the river Dakrong runs nearby, water levels soared quickly, submerging the area overnight. Deputy Chairman of the commune, Tran Huu Hieu, said that several homes were under more than two meters of water by dawn on November 17.
By 10 a.m., 210 households with 785 people had been relocated to higher ground. Officials warned that the current flood could surpass the historic levels of 2020.
Dao Thi Van, a resident of Da Noi hamlet, recounted the terrifying early morning hours: “At 4 a.m., we went to help neighbors in lower areas evacuate, but the water came so fast that we were suddenly trapped ourselves.”
“We had to run to the nearby church. It’s on higher ground, but the water is already near the second floor,” she said, speaking from the upper level of the church as others waded through chest-deep waters below. “We didn’t have time to take food or anything else. Our pigs and chickens were likely swept away.”
Homes in Da Noi hamlet, Ba Long Commune, Quang Tri Province, are heavily flooded. Photo: CTV
In Dakrong, even the commune headquarters, typically high and safe, was inundated. Landslides occurred along key routes including the western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Highway near Pa Hy and on National Highway 9 in Lang Cat.
According to the provincial civil defense office, 53 flooded and isolated areas were reported across Quang Tri - including three locations on national roads, nine on provincial routes, and 41 in local communes. Floods had affected 190 households (644 people), caused five landslide incidents, and forced the closure of three schools.
Power outages struck more than 4,490 homes in Khe Sanh, Dakrong, Huong Hiep, and Ba Long.
Authorities ordered strict bans on traveling through flooded areas, fishing or collecting firewood in rivers and streams, and urged local agencies to activate emergency response plans to protect residents.
Khanh Hoa industrial zone underwater, 5,000 workers sent home
Du Long Industrial Park's internal and connecting roads submerged due to rising floodwaters.Phu Kieng Bridge swept away by floodwaters. Photo: XN
In the south-central province of Khanh Hoa, torrential rains triggered flash floods that submerged Du Long Industrial Park in Thuan Bac commune, leaving more than 5,000 workers unable to work.
Ha Thi Hoa, director of the industrial park, said that floodwaters from upstream flowed in with force, submerging roads and buildings under nearly one meter of water. In response, the park’s management board and companies allowed all workers to take emergency leave for safety.
Local authorities helped businesses relocate assets to higher ground and cut electricity to flooded zones to prevent electrical hazards.
Other neighborhoods in western Nha Trang were also severely inundated. The Phu Kieng wooden bridge across the Cai River was swept away, prompting officials to guard dangerous areas.
Landslides struck provincial road 9, burying lanes under soil and debris. On Luong Son pass in northern Nha Trang, similar damage occurred. Flooding was also reported in northern and southern Cam Ranh and in Khanh Son.
Meteorologists recorded rainfall between 100–150mm across the province, with some areas exceeding 200mm. River levels are expected to reach or surpass alarm level 3 within the next 7–12 hours at various hydrological stations, including Dong Trang and Dien Phu. Authorities remain on alert for more serious flooding.
Nearly 1,000mm of rain recorded in a day: Central Vietnam under flood threat
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, from 2 p.m. November 16 to 2 p.m. November 17, the region from Ha Tinh to Lam Dong received intense rainfall.
Rainfall totals included Ky Khang (Ha Tinh) with 218.2mm; La To hydropower station (Quang Tri) with 609.8mm; Binh Dien (Hue) with a staggering 974.6mm; Song Tra (Da Nang) with 738.8mm; Son Long (Quang Ngai) 419.2mm; Buon Tang Krong Nang (Gia Lai) 240.6mm; Song Hinh (Dak Lak) 750.3mm; and Mang Dai – Suoi Hanh (Khanh Hoa) 411.6mm.
Soil moisture indicators showed saturation levels above 85% across multiple areas, raising the threat of landslides and flash floods. Meteorologists forecast continued rain across these provinces in the next six hours, with areas like Hue, Da Nang, and Quang Ngai expected to receive up to 150mm more.
Warnings for landslides and flash floods were issued across nine provinces, with Hue and Khanh Hoa marked at level 2 risk.
Authorities were urged to inspect river chokepoints and weak slopes, and implement contingency plans to prevent further tragedies.
Vietnamnet.vn
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