Water levels rose rapidly in Tay (West) Nha Trang Ward (Khanh Hoa Province) early on December 4, submerging streets and homes for the second time in weeks. In many areas, families rushed to pack their belongings and evacuate as the threat of a new flood loomed large.

After prolonged overnight rain, rising waters engulfed entire neighborhoods in West Nha Trang, with roads disappearing beneath murky torrents. Meteorologists warned that the region could be facing another significant flood event.

In the midst of the chaos, Vo Ngoc Hai and Tran Minh Long from the local security force in West Nha Trang were seen struggling through the floodwaters. Both fell while attempting to reach a submerged residential area.

“We had set up barricades at both ends of the flooded section to assist residents,” said Long. “When we realized there were children trapped inside, we rushed in to get them out. That’s when the incident happened.”

Low-lying areas in the ward were hit especially hard, with water rising to one meter in some places. At Vo Cang residential group, Huynh Thi Duyen and her grandson locked up their home and waded through the flood to seek shelter.

“The water came so fast this morning, nearly spilling into our house. We had to lift our things and evacuate,” Duyen recalled. “Last time, the water nearly reached the roof. We were isolated. I’m still traumatized.”

Residents of Vo Cang - who had just started cleaning up after the historic flood - once again found themselves rushing to move furniture and escape rising waters.

Phan Thi Tuyet, 61, pushed a bicycle while carrying clothes through knee-deep water. “At dawn, the water was already at the doorstep, and within moments, it reached my knees,” she said. “Last time, over two meters of floodwater trapped me inside. I won’t wait around again.”

Children were carried out of danger zones by rescue teams, as families scrambled to relocate.

In other parts of suburban Nha Trang, entire streets were submerged. People were seen pushing motorbikes through the water, carrying personal belongings above their heads.

Khanh Hoa Meteorological Center reported widespread heavy rainfall from last night to this morning, with totals ranging from 30–80 mm and some areas exceeding 120 mm.

A weather alert was issued on December 4 as rivers continued to rise. Flood levels on the Cai Phan Rang and Cai Nha Trang Rivers may exceed Alert Level 2, while other rivers are expected to reach Alert Level 1.

The flood warning covered several low-lying communes and wards, including Dien Khanh, Suoi Hiep, Dien Dien, North and South Nha Trang, Phan Rang, Bao An, Ninh Phuoc, Phuoc Dinh, Phuoc Hau, Phuoc Huu, Thuan Nam, and Cam Ranh.

With tides expected to reach 1.7 meters tonight, coastal areas remain at risk of further inundation.

Flooding has caused widespread disruptions. In Khanh Hoa, many schools suspended classes to protect students. In Dien Khanh district alone, 14 schools from preschool to vocational level were closed. Eight schools in Dien Dien commune and several in West Nha Trang - such as Vinh Trung Kindergarten, Vinh Trung Primary School, and Cao Thang Secondary School - also halted operations.

Residents had barely finished cleaning up after the last devastating flood when they awoke to find their homes underwater again on the morning of December 4.

Khanh Hoa is one of the provinces hardest hit by recent weather events. According to official statistics, recent flooding has killed 22 people and damaged over 1,000 homes - more than 100 of which collapsed entirely. Losses are estimated in the thousands of billions of dong.

Xuan Ngoc