Hanoi Floods Widespread After Heavy Rains, Residents Struggle With Water Damage

Hanoi, Vietnam – Extensive flooding has paralyzed daily life and business operations in Hanoi, particularly along Ngoc Lam street in Bo De ward, following heavy rains that persisted from the evening of September 14 to the morning of September 15. Dang Dinh Chien, a wonton noodle vendor at 213 Ngoc Lam street, recounted how his family rushed to move their refrigerator, electrical appliances, and business equipment to higher ground as floodwaters rose rapidly from around 4 AM. "Normally, we sell about 500 bowls of wonton noodles every morning, but with this flooding, we couldn't open for business today, losing a day's income," Chien stated. The power supply was cut due to the flooding, leaving his shop in darkness. By nearly 10 AM on September 15, his house remained submerged. Nguyen Thi Thai, a 73-year-old resident of Ngoc Lam street for many years, noted that flooding during the rainy season, typically from July to September, is a recurring issue with heavy rainfall. "Some years the water rises only about 20cm, but other years it's over 1 meter, and this morning it reached above my knees," she said. While the neighborhood watch informed residents to prepare for the situation and the drainage company dispatched personnel to manage the flooding, residents like Mrs. Thai were seen using brooms to push debris away from their homes. Several families on Ngoc Lam street decided to keep their children home from school due to the submerged streets. Thu Huong, residing at 205 Ngoc Lam, reported that the water reached the sidewalk by 4 AM and entered her house by 6 AM, prompting her to keep her fourth and third-grade children home. She also had to take time off work to care for them and could not operate her shop, which is also located on Ngoc Lam street. Most shops along the street remained closed due to the inundation. Business owners could only watch as the water levels rose, some perching on chairs. As of noon on September 15, the water began to recede, leaving behind accumulated garbage. Residents in alley 213 Ngoc Lam were seen collecting debris from the floodwaters into garbage trucks. Forecasting further heavy rainfall, meteorological authorities predict continued downpours from tonight until September 16 in areas from Nghe An province northward to the northern region, with some locations expected to receive over 450mm of rain. The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has urged 12 provinces and cities in the northern and north-central regions to focus on emergency response. This incident highlights ongoing challenges in Vietnam, where rapid urbanization and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change contribute to recurrent urban flooding, posing significant threats to residents' livelihoods and safety.