Ho Chi Minh City inundated following heavy rains

Districts of Ho Chi Minh City reported torrential rains on Wednesday afternoon, leading to major flooding and significant traffic delays.  

By 3:30 pm on Wednesday, streets across Ho Chi Minh City, including Go Vap District’s Nguyen Van Khoi, Pham Van Chieu, and Le Van Tho Streets, as well as Binh Thanh District’s Binh Loi Street, had been totally underwater following a 20-minute downpour.

Rainwater invaded a 200-meter-long section of Nguyen Van Khoi Street, causing dozens of motorbikes to break down and significant traffic delays.  

Meanwhile, staffers of the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Drainage Company were called to clear sewers and help drain the floodwaters.  

“The rain lasted less than half an hour, but the flooding was overwhelming,” said Truong Van Long, a resident in Go Vap District.

“It caused many vehicles to break down and motorcyclists to fall off their bikes. It was dangerous.

“I hope the authorities fix the issue soon.”

Ho Chi Minh City is entering the peak of its flooding season, with conditions expected to be particularly bad on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing floodwaters to alarming levels, according to the Southern Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The phenomenon, coupled with heavy rains and thunderstorms on Monday afternoon, means floods are likely.

In the next few days, residents in lowland and riverfront areas should stay be aware of flooding risks, the center warned.