The prime minister has issued an urgent directive ordering Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak and Gia Lai to mobilise maximum resources to evacuate and rescue people isolated by severe flooding.
Many areas in Quy Nhon Bac Ward, Gia Lai Province still suffer serious flooding on November 20.
The directive, released on November 20, instructs the three provinces to take all possible measures to immediately access residential areas cut off by deep flooding and landslides, and to relocate residents to safe locations. Food supplies must be delivered promptly, prioritising ready to use goods such as dry rations, bread and milk, ensuring that no resident is left hungry, cold or without drinking water.
More than 33,600 houses are submerged in Dak Lak Province.
The prime minister assigned the defence and public security ministries to deploy personnel and equipment to support evacuations, rescue operations and the transport of relief goods.
Tourist boats are mobilised to evacuate residents from flood-hit areas in Khanh Hoa Province
On the morning of November 20, the defence ministry prepared two helicopters, Mi 171 and Mi 8, along with about two tonnes of food, drinking water, milk, life jackets and essential supplies. The aircraft were expected to depart from Danang and Phu Cat airports to deliver emergency aid to Gia Lai and Dak Lak.
Heavy rain from the night of November 18 to November 19 caused severe flooding in downstream areas of Dak Lak, with water levels reaching one to two metres in some places. Many roads were cut off and hundreds of households had to be evacuated.
Parts of Quy Nhon in Gia Lai and Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa were also heavily flooded as rainfall intensified and river levels rose.
According to forecasts, these areas will continue to experience very heavy rain on November 20 and November 21. Water levels on the Ba and Kon rivers are expected to remain high, while rivers in Khanh Hoa may surpass historic records. Widespread deep flooding and a high risk of landslides persist.
According to the provincial agriculture and environment department in Dak Lak, as of 11am on November 20 flooding had left 11 people dead and four missing.