Hanoi Flooded: Heavy Rains Cause Widespread Disruption to Traffic and Business

Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, was hit by severe flooding following heavy overnight rains, submerging numerous streets by up to nearly a meter and causing widespread disruption to traffic, commuting, and logistics. Particularly on streets like To Huu and Cau Coc, water levels exceeded 50 centimeters, leaving vehicles stranded and forcing residents to use boats and makeshift styrofoam rafts for transportation. The flooding led to the closure of many schools and forced businesses to halt operations. Residents and shop owners worked through the night to move belongings to higher ground, but many reported significant losses due to submerged inventory. Traffic congestion worsened, with kilometers-long queues forming in various parts of the city. These areas, located within the Nhue River basin on Hanoi's western periphery, have frequently suffered from inundation due to an incomplete and uncoordinated drainage network. The current downpour has once again highlighted the lagging infrastructure development in rapidly urbanizing Hanoi and the pressing need to adapt to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has warned of the potential for dangerous convective phenomena, including tornadoes, lightning, strong winds, and hail, as storm clouds expand across wide areas of the city over the next few hours. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant.