Residents in Gia Lai, Dak Lak climb onto rooftops, await rescue

Tens of thousands of homes in eastern Gia Lai and Dak Lak are severely flooded, with many residents climbing onto rooftops to escape the rising waters, awaiting rescue and food supplies.

Rescue teams in Tuy Hoa access a home by breaking through a window. Floodwaters in this area have reached the second floor, submerging even the air conditioning unit.

Heavy rain on the night of 18/11 and morning of 19/11 caused the Ba River to swell, submerging about 8,500 homes in eastern Dak Lak (formerly Phu Yen). Thousands of one-story houses were completely submerged.

Thousands of residents, unable to evacuate promptly, climbed onto their rooftops as floodwaters rose. Military, militia, and police forces are now reaching dangerous areas to evacuate people.

To be seen, some residents stood in the rain on the eaves above their windows.

In Gia Lai, Ngoc Lan's family, residing at Group 2, Area 5, Bui Thi Xuan, Phu Tai Industrial Park, is completely isolated, their home flooded to the roof. She stated that her multi-generational family of 30, including elderly members and seven young children, has no food or water and is appealing to rescue forces.

Rescue teams in Quy Nhon removed a roof to evacuate residents on the morning of 19/11.

Rescue forces transport Quy Nhon residents to safe shelters via specialized vehicles. *Nguyen Quan*.

Relief teams deliver food supplies to residents in deeply flooded Quy Nhon Dong ward on the evening of 19/11. *Nguyen Quan*.

Rescue forces carried young children to safety after evacuating them from isolated areas.

According to the People's Committee of Gia Lai, Quy Nhon Bac, Quy Nhon Dong wards, and Tuy Phuoc, Tuy Phuoc Dong, Tuy Phuoc Bac communes are severely flooded. Over 8,300 households, comprising nearly 36,000 people across the province, are submerged and isolated. Additionally, roads are flooded, and significant transportation and infrastructure have sustained damage or erosion.

Deeply flooded streets have rendered most road vehicles immobile. Gia Lai Provincial Police are using specialized boats and buoys to transport the elderly and children to safe locations.

Water levels in Gia Lai's Kon and Ha Thanh Rivers are expected to continue rising tonight, surpassing level 3 alarm.