Ho Chi Minh City Braces for Three More Days of Heavy Rain, Exacerbating Flood Risks

Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces are bracing for another spell of heavy rain from September 11 to 13, following widespread flooding that occurred on the afternoon of September 10. The renewed downpour, coinciding with high tides, is expected to increase the risk of severe inundation in low-lying areas. According to the Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Station, the heavy rain is attributed to the strong activity of the intertropical convergence zone combined with the southwest monsoon. Compounding the issue, the period of heavy rainfall from September 11 to 13 coincides with the spring tide (early August of the lunar calendar). Water levels in some areas may approach warning level 3, further elevating the risk of flooding in low-lying regions. The heavy rain on September 10, which lasted from around 5 PM to the evening, covered many parts of Ho Chi Minh City. From 7 AM to 9 PM, many stations recorded rainfall exceeding 100 mm. Notably, Cu Chi district recorded 127.2 mm, Cat Lai 126.4 mm, Thu Duc City 113 mm, and Hoc Mon district around 104 mm. This was the heaviest rainfall in the city since the beginning of the year. The rain during the evening rush hour led to flooding on over 10 streets and areas, concentrated in the eastern, northern, and inner-city districts. Notable flooded points included the An Phu underpass, Do Xuan Hop, Quoc Huong, Xuan Thuy, Thao Dien, To Ngoc Van, Chu Van An, Dien Bien Phu, Dinh Bo Linh streets, as well as the Thu Duc market area, Hoc Mon market, and the old Mien Dong bus station. In many places, water levels rose 30-50 cm, causing numerous vehicles to stall and prolonged traffic congestion. In Cu Chi and Hoc Mon, which recorded the highest rainfall, floodwaters entered many homes, carrying along trash and plastic bags. Refrigerators, tables, chairs, beds, and many other household items were submerged and damaged. The An Phu intersection underpass in Thu Duc City was flooded to about half a meter, causing several cars to stall and requiring towing services. In Hiep Binh ward, streets 38 and 40 have been flooded about half a meter since the previous evening. As of the morning of September 11, water in some alleys and residential areas had not yet receded, disrupting the daily lives of residents. The meteorological authorities have advised residents to proactively plan their routes and be prepared for thunderstorms, lightning, and strong gusts of wind, as the rain is predicted to occur during the peak afternoon hours.