Danang: Flash floods triggered by record rains have killed at least nine people and left five others missing in central Vietnam, the Vietnamese government said Wednesday. A government statement revealed that six of the fatalities occurred in Danang, home to one of the country’s most popular beaches, and the ancient town of Hoi An. The floods have inundated more than 103,000 homes, primarily in major tourist destinations such as Hue and Hoi An.

According to Thai News Agency, Vietnam is susceptible to severe storms and floods, which often lead to significant property damage, particularly during the monsoon season from June to October. The disaster agency reported that heavy rainfall persisted in Hue, the former imperial capital and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, and the ancient town of Hoi An, following record rainfall in 24 hours that exceeded 1,000 millimeters as of Monday night.

The statement highlighted that widespread flooding continued to affect low-lying areas along rivers and in urban regions, posing a high risk of flash floods and landslides in Danang’s mountainous areas. Landslides have disrupted traffic and damaged power grids in several locations. Additionally, the state-run railway service connecting the capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City remained non-operational after being suspended since Tuesday.

The government’s meteorological agency has forecast continued heavy rain in central Vietnam over the next two days, with some areas expected to receive more than 400 millimeters of rainfall from Wednesday morning to Thursday evening.