The death toll from severe flooding in Vietnam has risen to 90, with 12 more people reported missing, the Environment Ministry said on Sunday, following days of heavy rain and landslides.

The majority of fatalities, over 60 since November 16, occurred in the mountainous Dak Lak province, where tens of thousands of homes were submerged, the ministry reported.

Relentless rainfall has affected south-central Vietnam since late October, repeatedly inundating popular tourist destinations. Nha Trang, a coastal city, experienced entire blocks underwater last week, while landslides struck highland passes around Da Lat, a major tourist hub.

Several national highways remain blocked due to flooding or landslides, and some railway sections are still suspended, according to the ministry. Additionally, more than 129,000 electricity customers remain without power, after over a million were affected last week.

The Environment Ministry estimates economic losses of around US$343 million across five provinces as a result of the floods.

Vietnam is frequently affected by heavy rainfall, particularly between June and September, but scientists have noted that human-driven climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

According to the National Statistics Office, natural disasters have killed or left missing 279 people in Vietnam and caused over US$2 billion in damage between January and October this year.

Authorities continue rescue and relief operations, prioritizing affected communities and critical infrastructure in the hardest-hit regions. (ILKHA)