HANO (Bernama-VNA/VNS): Historic floods across central and the Central Highlands region of Vietnam have left 68 people dead or missing, with preliminary economic losses estimated at more than VND8.98 trillion (over US$340 million), Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.
As of Saturday, the disaster had claimed 55 lives and left 13 people unaccounted for, rising by 13 compared to the day before, according to the latest report by the Directorate of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
The economic devastation by the historic deluge is extensive and continues to rise, as total losses rise threefold, from the estimated US$114 million on Friday to upwards of US$340 million today.
Agricultural losses are severe, with 79,908 hectares of rice and crops affected and another 100,014 hectares of perennial and annual plants damaged. An estimated 3.24 million livestock and poultry have died or been swept away, while 1,157 hectares of aquaculture areas have been affected.
Transport infrastructure also took a serious blow. Sixteen points along national highways and 180 locations on provincial and inter-communal roads remain flooded or blocked by landslides.
Rail services have also been curtailed, with eight passenger trains halted on Friday (Nov 21) and six more suspended on Saturday.
Electricity outages continue to affect 377,002 customers across the region.
Authorities warn that rainfall and flooding remain complicated and could worsen. Local governments are continuing to assess damage and coordinate recovery efforts. -- Bernama-VNA/VNS
