Torrential rains have triggered severe flooding in central Vietnam, submerging large parts of the historic city of Hue and surrounding areas, local media reported on Monday.
More than 1,085 millimetres of rain fell in Hue within 24 hours, a national record, according to Vietnamese media, citing the country’s weather service.
The overflowing Ta Trach River swept away a key bridge, cutting off thousands of households from nearby communities.
In Hue, once an imperial city, streets were inundated and residents used boats to move around. Local resident Hoang Ngo Tu Do told dpa that he had not seen rain that heavy in years, adding that power was out, schools had been forced to close and his house was now more than a metre underwater.
The coastal town of Hoi An — famous for its colourful lanterns and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site — was partly underwater, with tourists wading through knee-deep floods.
Authorities issued warnings for flash floods and landslides. Further south in Quang Ngai province, several communities were already isolated following landslides, local media reported.
The floods come just weeks after tropical storm Bualoi killed dozens in northern Vietnam, with many victims dying in floodwaters, landslides or from falling debris. More than 100,000 homes were partially or completely destroyed.