Heavy rains and floods in Vietnam: At least 41 people killed

Relentless rains and flooding have killed at least 41 people in central Vietnam since the weekend, while the search for nine more missing continues, state media reported, according to the BBC.

The floods submerged more than 52.000 homes and left half a million households and businesses without power, according to reports.

Rainfall has exceeded 1,5 meters in several areas over the past three days, and in some parts it has even risen above the record level from the 1993 floods, which was 5,2 meters.

The hardest-hit areas include the coastal cities of Hoi An and Na Trang, as well as the key coffee-producing belt in the central highlands — where farmers are already facing harvest disruptions from earlier storms.

Extreme weather has hit Vietnam in recent months. Two typhoons, Kalmaegi and Bualoi, left a trail of death and destruction in the space of just a few weeks.

Natural disasters in Vietnam caused $2 billion in damage between January and October this year, according to government estimates.

Photos published by local media show people trapped on rooftops as floodwaters rush into their homes, while a video circulating online shows a suspension bridge in Lam Dong province tearing from its anchors.

The province declared a state of emergency after landslides damaged major roads and highways.

Traffic was completely halted after part of the Mimosa Pass, a key entry route to the popular tourist town of Da Lat, collapsed into a ravine, with a bus narrowly avoiding falling into the opening, AFP reported.

Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated from flooded regions. Military units and police officers have been deployed to set up temporary shelters and move people to safer locations.

A restaurant owner in Na Trang told AFP that his shops were flooded and were under about a meter of water.

"I'm worried about our furniture in restaurants and shops, but of course, I can't do anything now. I don't think the water will recede soon, because the rain doesn't stop," said restaurant owner Bui Kuok Vin.

Authorities have warned of moderate to heavy rainfall in central Vietnam until at least Sunday.