Relief efforts are underway in Dak Lak province, where helicopters are transporting essential supplies to areas isolated by severe flooding. On 23/11 morning, a Mi-17 helicopter from Regiment 930, Division 372, based at Phu Cat airport in Gia Lai, took off with 1,5 tons of food and necessities. These supplies, including dry rations, cakes, milk, drinking water, and life jackets, were destined for residents in the flood-isolated areas of Tuy An Dong and Tuy An Tay.

The Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, reported a significant toll from the floods in the South Central Coast. As of 7:00 AM, the disaster had claimed 90 lives. Dak Lak was the most severely affected province, with 63 fatalities, an increase of 19. Other provinces reported deaths as follows: Khanh Hoa with 14, Lam Dong with five, Gia Lai with three, Hue and Da Nang each with two, and Quang Tri with one.

A helicopter lands in a heavily flooded area in Dak Lak for relief efforts. *Photo: Division 372*

Beyond the tragic loss of life, the floods caused widespread property damage. A total of 1,154 houses were damaged, marking an increase of 208 homes. The most significant damage occurred in Lam Dong, where 825 houses were affected, followed by Gia Lai with 186 houses, and Quang Ngai with 80 houses.

At their peak, the floods submerged over 185,700 houses across the region. Dak Lak accounted for the majority of these, with 150,000 homes affected. Gia Lai saw 19,200 houses submerged, and Khanh Hoa had nearly 15,400. While Gia Lai has since cleared of floods, several areas in Dak Lak remain inundated. Hoa Xuan and Dong Hoa wards, along with Hoa Thinh and Hoa My communes, are still experiencing flooding, with Hoa Thinh and Hoa Xuan communes particularly deeply submerged.

Following its initial mission, the Mi-17 helicopter completed a second flight to Hoa Xuan commune. Additionally, yesterday, two helicopters from Division 370 delivered tons of essential supplies to deeply submerged and isolated regions within Dong Hoa town, located in the former Phu Yen province.

Pham Linh