On the morning of Nov. 19, heavy rain and rising water levels on the Ha Thanh River caused deep flooding across tourist city Quy Nhon of Gia Lai Province, forcing many residents to climb onto their rooftops to call for help.
Most wards and communes were submerged 1–3 m; Quy Nhon Ward in the city center was less severe but still saw water high enough to cover vehicle wheels.
Floodwaters rose over the riverbanks, encircling all gateways into Quy Nhon. Submerged streets left truck drivers unable to determine their routes.
Gia Lai continues to face heavy rain, raising the risk of widespread flooding.
In Quy Nhon Bac Ward, floodwaters nearly reached the rooftops, leaving residents sleepless through the night.
"The water kept rising toward dawn. My family evacuated the children yesterday," said Phuong Thanh, adding that three adults are now sheltering in a loft and hoping rescuers can reach them.
At 4 a.m. on Nov. 19, the house of Bao Vy, near Nguyen Khuyen School, was flooded past halfway. Water was close to the roof, forcing the homeowner to seek help from rescue teams through community groups.
Lam Tue, who lives near Hiep Hoa gas station in the former Nhon Binh area, said his elderly mother and two young children were trapped as floodwaters submerged beds, mats, tables, and chairs on the ground floor.
The family moved some electronics to the mezzanine. They are now sitting on the mezzanine and staircase waiting for rescue forces to arrive.
At Ecohome Nhon Binh apartment complex in Quy Nhon Dong Ward, water gushed into the basement, knocking over many motorbikes. Some car owners managed to move their vehicles to higher levels to avoid flooding.
Pham Anh Tuan, chairman of the Gia Lai People's Committee, has ordered forces to deploy boats and canoes to evacuate residents from dangerous areas. The Binh Dinh SOS team and independent rescue groups are also sending boats into deeply flooded homes to reach stranded people.
23/10 Street, a vital traffic artery and the western gateway into Nha Trang, turned into a river, paralyzing traffic.
At the same time, floodwaters exceeded half a meter on Vo Nguyen Giap Street in Nam Nha Trang Ward, prompting authorities to rope off the area for safety warnings.
The Cai River, near Dua Bridge in Tay Nha Trang Ward, rose rapidly and overflowed into houses, causing about half a meter of flooding.
Water rose about 60 cm and poured into homes along 23/10 Street, forcing residents to lift furniture and belongings to higher ground.
In residential areas of Nam Nha Trang Ward, water levels ranged from half a meter to a full meter.
Hoa, a local resident, said the neighborhood often floods during the rainy season, but this time water rose over a meter, completely destroying her family’s vegetable garden.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, from Nov. 19 through Nov. 20, many areas across Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Dak Lak, and Khanh Hoa will see heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, commonly 100–200 mm, with some places exceeding 300 mm. Downpours may trigger landslides in vulnerable areas.
