Record rainfall floods Hue and Hoi An, at least nine dead

Record-breaking rains in central Vietnam on Monday and into Tuesday triggered severe flooding that submerged large parts of the historic city of Hue and the ancient town of Hoi An, forced tens of thousands of evacuations and left at least nine people dead, officials said. The meteorological department recorded 1,085 millimetres of rain in Hue within 24 hours, the highest total on record for the country, and authorities warned of continued heavy rain, flash floods and landslides.

Rivers rose rapidly, inundating streets, homes and heritage sites. By Tuesday morning the Perfume River in Hue had risen to about 4.6 metres, leaving parts of the former imperial capital waist‑deep in water and cutting off major roads. The Ta Trach River overflowed and swept away a bridge, isolating thousands of households. In Hoi An, releases from hydroelectric dams and rain-swollen rivers sent water into the ancient town, where hotels and streets were submerged and tourists were moved by boat to safer locations.

The government said at least nine people had died and five were missing in central provinces, with six fatalities in Danang and nearby Hoi An. The national disaster management agency reported...