According to Tran Minh Than, chairman of the People's Committee of Tay Son commune (K’Bang district, Gia Lai province), floodwaters surged through the villages of Ma Dia, Ma Lua, and Ma Dao. When the flood suddenly hit, dozens of cattle were swept away, their bodies found scattered along the stream bank.

"Authorities repeatedly warned residents to bring their livestock back to their barns, but many households maintained their habit of tethering their buffalo and cows near the normally dry stream," Than said.

Cattle swept away by the flood lie scattered along the stream. Photo: Ngoc Oanh

Cattle swept away by the flood lie scattered along the stream. Photo: Ngoc Oanh

The hardest hit was the family of Ro Cham Cam (Ma Dia village), who lost five cows, and Kpa Ho Oat (Ma Lua village), who lost four. "Last night, it rained for less than two hours, and the water overflowed before we could react," Oat said, adding that he had butchered the recovered carcasses to sell and recoup some of the losses.

Heavy rains over the past two days have caused severe flooding in several Central Highlands provinces. In Gia Lai, the Mo Nang 2 ford was submerged under 1.5 meters of water, isolating more than 340 households. Lam Dong province reported about 300 houses in Hiep Thanh commune flooded nearly to their roofs, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate overnight.

In Dak Lak, rainfall measured at Hoa Phong station reached nearly 180 mm, raising concerns about flooding and landslides. Authorities warn that the Central Highlands region remains at risk of flash floods and landslides in the coming days.

Tran Hoa