On November 24th, the lobster capital of Song Cau in Dak Lak lay desolate, with over 80% of lobster cages swept away by floods.
Previously, hundreds of thousands of lobster cages were engulfed by floodwaters, resulting in a staggering 80-90% mortality rate.
Lobster farmers face complete bankruptcy, helplessly witnessing billions of dollars in assets submerged.
Before the floods, farmers cautiously lowered cages to the bottom to avoid strong currents, but floodwaters reaching 3.5-4 meters still shocked and killed lobsters en masse.
Across Song Cau streets, farmers now painfully sort through the remaining 10% of young lobsters, packing them in ice-filled containers as power outages prevent refrigeration.
Most “rescue” buyers are acquaintances purchasing lobsters to support affected families.
Green and flower lobsters, normally priced at 800,000-1,200,000 VND/kg, are now shockingly sold for just 150,000 VND/kg.
Huỳnh Thị Xô (57, Xuan Thanh Ward) shares that all lobster farms suffered losses. Her family lost 50 out of 60 cages, totaling over 5 billion VND in damages.
Nguyễn Thị Lệ (54, Song Cau Ward) tearfully recounts: “We’ve cried all our tears. My family lost over 8 billion VND, all borrowed money.”
Vo Ngoc Thach, Chairman of Song Cau Ward, reports over 3 trillion VND in assets lost—an unprecedented catastrophe for Dak Lak’s lobster industry.
According to the latest report from Song Cau Ward authorities, out of 92,000 lobster cages owned by 2,000 households, over 77,000 were lost to floods. Previously, Typhoon #13 damaged 16,000 cages.
In Xuan Dai Ward, 430/536 households suffered losses, with 22,500/27,000 cages (over 80%) destroyed—equivalent to 610 billion VND.
New Operating Protocol for the Song Ba Ha Hydropower Plant Following Historic Flood Discharge
Following the historic flood discharge with a total downstream flow of 16,100 m³/s, the operator of the Song Ba Ha hydroelectric reservoir has been instructed to lower the water level to the flood-preparation mark in anticipation of the upcoming complex rainfall and flooding conditions.
North-South Railway Paralysis: Over 21,000 Train Tickets Refunded to Passengers
Heavy rainfall over the past several days in the Central Highlands and Central regions has severely disrupted the North-South railway line, forcing the suspension of 44 train services, the refund of over 21,000 tickets, and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at stations. Meanwhile, numerous road sections have also been cut off, compelling the railway sector to stretch its resources to manage the crisis and assist affected travelers.
Government and Prime Minister’s Directives and Operations on November 23, 2025
The Government Office has issued a press release outlining the directives and instructions from the Government and the Prime Minister as of November 23, 2025.
Central Vietnam Floods: Suspended Railway Lines and Cracked National Highways
The relentless downpour over the past several days has paralyzed critical transportation routes across Central Vietnam. The North-South railway has suffered severe damage, with dozens of sections experiencing eroded foundations and slope landslides. Major highways from Da Nang to Lam Dong have been buried under landslides, causing structural fractures and rendering them impassable.
Massive Flooding Forces Banks and ATMs to Suspend Operations Across Multiple Branches
Due to severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall in the South Central region, numerous banks have temporarily closed their branches, transaction offices, and ATMs in the affected areas.
