Ho Chi Minh City on High Alert for Heavy Rains and High Tides

Ho Chi Minh City issued a warning at 3:30 PM on September 11, forecasting widespread heavy rainfall exceeding 100mm within the next 24 hours. The Southern Hydrometeorological Station predicts moderate to heavy rain, with some areas experiencing very heavy rain, from 7 PM on September 11 to 7 PM on September 12. The total rainfall during this period is expected to be between 60-140mm, with some locations potentially exceeding 150mm. Rain is forecast to subside by 7 PM on September 13. Particular caution is advised for low-lying areas, urban centers, industrial zones, and regions along rivers and canals, which are at risk of flooding due to the heavy rains. The possibility of thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and strong gusts of wind also exists. Furthermore, water levels at most monitoring stations on the Saigon River are expected to rise in line with the early August (lunar calendar) spring tide. The peak of this tide is anticipated between September 12 and 13. Levels at the Phu An and Nha Be stations may approach and fall just below alert level 2 (1.5m) by approximately 0.05m, while the Thu Dau Mot station could reach close to alert level 3 (1.6m). The highest tide is expected during the early morning hours (5 AM-7 AM) or late afternoon/early evening (5 PM-7 PM). The combination of heavy rainfall and high tides could lead to significant flooding in low-lying and riverside areas, impacting transportation and socio-economic activities, necessitating strict vigilance. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting also reported that South Vietnam could experience moderate to heavy rains, with some areas receiving over 100mm, from late afternoon on September 11 through September 12. Meanwhile, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a special warning that the El Niño phenomenon is strengthening and is highly likely to persist until February 2027. The WMO suggests this El Niño could be the strongest recorded in the past 40 years. However, a strong El Niño does not automatically guarantee a severe dry and saline season for the Mekong Delta region. Source: The Saigon Times