On the morning of 19/11/2024, 16 neighborhoods in Quy Nhon Bac ward, near Quang Trung University, experienced severe flooding. Water inundated many houses up to their rooftops, compelling residents to climb onto corrugated iron roofs and balconies to await rescue. This area, situated along small river branches, frequently floods during heavy rains. However, this particular flood rose so quickly that many families had no time to react.

Houses and oto in Quy Nhon submerged in water, evening of 18/11/2024. Photo: Residents provided

Nguyen Phong, a resident living near the university, reported that his family woke up after 3:00 AM when the water was already close to their ceiling. He quickly moved his elderly mother and 10-month-old child to the rooftop to await assistance. "I have never seen floods this high, covering the rooftops, like this year", he stated.

In the former Nhon Phu ward, Phuong Thanh and two relatives were trapped on a mezzanine as water from the river surged dramatically overnight. "The water rose too fast, leaving no escape route. I have called local authorities to request a boat to evacuate us from the dangerous area", she said, adding that the young children in her family had been evacuated since last evening.

Rapidly rising floods caught residents off guard, submerging belongings. Photo: Residents provided

Nguyen Thai Dien, Chairman of the Quy Nhon Bac Ward People's Committee (UBND), explained that the strong flow from the Ha Thanh River caused neighborhoods 2, 3, and 4 to become isolated first. By the evening of 18/11/2024, the entire ward was underwater.

Since last night, the Provincial Military Command, Police, and local forces have organized overnight evacuations, continuing efforts to reach deeply flooded areas.

In many other parts of Quy Nhon, streets were also submerged, leaving numerous vehicles stalled. Workers and residents were unable to commute this morning.

Water near rooftops in Quy Nhon Bac ward. Photo: Minh Bang

Pham Anh Tuan, Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee (UBND), activated a level 3.1 flood response plan for 58 eastern communes and wards. This plan mandates the evacuation of all residents from low-lying areas, riverside locations, and regions at high risk of landslides.

Last night and early this morning (19/11/2024), Da Nang city and the eastern provinces from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa experienced heavy to very heavy rainfall. Precipitation measured from 19:00 on 18/11/2024 to 3:00 on 19/11/2024 exceeded 160 mm in some locations. The Ha Thanh River's water level neared alarm level 3.

Previously, due to Typhoon Kalmaegi's landfall, Gia Lai had 50,217 houses damaged. Among these, approximately 1,000 homes completely collapsed, 10,286 sustained very severe damage, and 40,247 were partially damaged. Gia Lai province estimated the damage caused by the typhoon to be nearly 6,000 billion VND.

Tran Hoa - Pham Linh