Central Vietnam is grappling with unprecedented flooding triggered by relentless heavy rains, which have submerged homes, farmland, and iconic tourist destinations, including the historic cities of Hue and Hoi An. According to Vietnam’s meteorological department, Hue recorded a staggering 1,085.8 millimeters (42 inches) of rainfall within 24 hours by late Monday, marking the highest volume ever documented in the country. The Perfume River in Hue surged to 4.62 meters (15 feet), while waist-deep floods engulfed Hoi An’s ancient town, forcing tourists to evacuate by boat. Persistent rainfall and water releases from hydroelectric dams caused the Hoai River to rise nearly 2 meters (6.5 feet), exacerbating the crisis. State media reported that 32 of Hue’s 40 residential areas were inundated, with residents resorting to boats to navigate submerged streets. The floods also disrupted the train route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, stranding thousands of passengers. In a bid to safeguard infrastructure, Vietnam’s railways deployed 19 train carriages loaded with 980 tonnes (1,080 U.S. tons) of heavy stones to stabilize a bridge at risk of being swept away. The Australian nonprofit Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation highlighted that approximately 1,000 people in rural Thua Thien Hue province, including 200 children, are isolated and in urgent need of assistance due to flooding and landslides. Meteorologists had earlier warned of severe rainfall, floods, and landslides as storm Fengshen approached. Experts attribute the intensification of such storms to global warming, which fuels tropical storms with warmer oceans, leading to stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and altered precipitation patterns across East Asia. Vietnam, one of the world’s most flood-prone nations, faces heightened risks with nearly half its population residing in vulnerable areas.