Hanoi braces for more heavy rains as residents scramble with rising floods

All types of vehicles and even pedestrians are banned from crossing Long Bien Bridge over the Red River starting 3 p.m. Tuesday until further update.

The ban was imposed after the floodwater level on the Red River under the bridge rose to 9.5 m, the highest level since 2008.

Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi is empty in the afternoon of Sept. 19, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Hai

The Red River levels under the Long Bien Bridge has been rising rapidly and around one meter higher than normal levels. Trains have been banned from the 122-year-old bridge since Tuesday morning.

Photo by Giang Huy

Photo by Giang Huy

 

 

Hanoi braces for more heavy rains as residents scramble with rising floods

Nước cuồn cuộn dưới chân cầu Long Biên

In a bulletin issued at 11:45 a.m., the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting reported that satellite images, lightning positioning data, and weather radar indicate that convective clouds from the areas of Bac Ninh and Hung Yen provinces are moving towards and expanding over Hanoi.

Additionally, convective clouds from the outlying districts of Thanh That and Quoc Oai districts are also moving towards Hanoi’s center.

In the next 20 minutes to three hours, these clouds are expected to bring showers and thunderstorms Hanoi districts of Gia Lam, Long Bien, Hoang Mai, Thanh Tri, Hoai Duc, Thanh Oai, and Ha Dong, and then continue to spread to other central districts of the city. Thunderstorms may bring tornadoes, lightning, and strong gusts of wind.

 

 

Hanoi braces for more heavy rains as residents scramble with rising floods

Nước dâng cao tại Ngọc Lâm và cầu Long Biên

According to the planning project for the urban areas along both sides of the Red River, the river banks through Hanoi stretch from Hong Ha Bridge to Me So Bridge and encompass an area of 11,000 hectares. This area's estimated population ranges from 280,000 to 320,000.

The 13 Hanoi districts along the river are Dan Phuong, Bac Tu Liem, Tay Ho, Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung, Hoang Mai, Thanh Tri, Thuong Tin, Me Linh, Dong Anh, Long Bien, and Gia Lam.

When the Red River's water levels rise due to heavy rain and flooding, the impact could be extensive, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. As of Tuesday morning, the rising water level flooded residential areas in Hoan Kiem District and prompted the evacuation of a few riverside residential areas.

Red River water begins to flood into riverside residential areas in Hoan Kiem District. Photos by Van Phu

In a Tuesday meeting with the authorities of Chuong Duong and Phuc Tan wards, chairman Pham Tuan Long of Hoan Kiem District ordered the immediate relocation of all families within the level-one alert area. They will be temporarily moved to The One apartment complex and preparations are underway at Hang Be Market for further relocation.

Long directed a review of additional public facilities that could serve as accommodations for the displaced residents.

The level one alert mandates the relocation of 200 people in Chuong Duong, and 260 in Phuc Tan.

A level one alert indicates the river has begun to flood but the water remains within its banks, classified as minor flooding.

From Monday night to Tuesday morning, several areas in central Hanoi experienced moderate to heavy rain, with total rainfall ranging from 50-100mm, and more than 150mm in some locations.

The downpours caused severe flooding on numerous streets in the capital city, stalling vehicles. Even after the morning rush hour, some streets in Ha Dong District and along Thang Long Boulevard remained congested.

Many motorbikes which were stalled in the floodwaters need urgent repairs. Photo by Phuong Linh

Flooding on Phung Hung Street, Ha Dong District. Photo by Phuong Linh

The road through Alley No.232 of Tan Trieu Street of Thanh Tri District is submerged by over 30 cm. Photo by VnExpress/Huy Manh

The Hanoi Command for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue has issued a Level-One flood warning after the water level of the Red River in Thuong Tin District reached 7.23 meters at 9 a.m. Tuesday, surpassing the safety threshold by three centimeters and reaching the highest peak since 2008.

There are three flood warning levels in place. A level-one warning indicates the beginning of a flood, with water levels still within the riverbanks. A level-two warning signals that the water level has risen to a medium level, leading to adverse impacts on residential areas, the economy, and society, corresponding to a moderate flood.

A level-three warning indicates a major flood, with severe flooding that poses significant risks to livelihoods, production, and potentially endangers lives and property.

A section of the Red River flowing under the Chuong Duong Bridge on Sept. 10, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

According to the Northern Delta and Mid-Region Hydrometeorological Station, from Sept. 10 to 12, Hanoi is expected to receive 80-150 mm of rain, with some areas potentially exceeding 250 mm. Districts such as Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung, Dong Da, Long Bien, Tay Ho, Cau Giay, Hoang Mai, Thanh Xuan, Ha Dong, Bac Tu Liem, Nam Tu Liem, Gia Lam, Dong Anh, Soc Son and Me Linh are forecast to receive 100-200 mm, and more than 300 mm in certain places.

Floodwaters have covered the Red River Alluvial Islet entirely. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

Phan Quoc Anh, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Railways, announced that train services across Long Bien Bridge have been suspended due to the Red River's water level exceeding the safety threshold, endangering train operations.

Once the water level recedes, the railway authorities will reassess the situation to determine when it is safe to resume services.

A train crossing Long Bien Bridge. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

All passenger trains on the Hanoi - Hai Phong route will now pick up and drop off passengers at Gia Lam Station instead of Long Bien or Hanoi stations. Starting Wednesday, depending on passenger demand, the railway sector may reduce the number of trains, but will maintain at least one round-trip service between Hanoi and Hai Phong each day.

Long Bien Bridge, built by the French and open to traffic in 1902, allows trains to travel at a speed of about 15 kph. Although the water level is currently a few meters below the bridge, the fast-flowing current poses a potential risk to the bridge's pillars.

Train services on the Hanoi - Lao Cai route, bringing passengers to Sa Pa tourist city, have also been suspended since Sept. 7 due to the impact of typhoon Yagi.

Flooding on numerous central streets caused severe traffic jams during the morning rush hours. The Hanoi Traffic Police Department has issued a warning to residents, advising caution when traveling through streets submerged under 25-35 cm of water, including Thuy Khue, Thanh Cong, Huynh Thuc Khang, La Thanh, Lieu Giai, Dien Bien Phu, Nui Truc, Ngoc Khanh, and Nguyen Truong To.

In downtown Hoan Kiem District, significant congestion was reported on numerous streets: Phung Hung, Lien Tri - Nguyen Gia Thieu, the intersection of Ta Hien - Luong Ngoc Quyen, Dinh Liet, Nguyen Sieu - Ngo Gach, Tong Dan, the intersection of Quang Trung - Tran Quoc Toan, Tho Nhuom, Ba Trieu, Dien Bien Phu, Quan Thanh, and the intersection of Duong Thanh - Hang Non.

In Dong Da District, affected streets included Huynh Thuc Khang, Thai Ha, Chua Boc, Pham Ngoc Thach, Ton Duc Thang, Kham Thien, Le Duan, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, and Kim Lien.

Traffic is gridlocked at the Xuan Quan - Bo De - Long Bien dyke as authorities manage the flow of vehicles onto Chuong Duong Bridge towards downtown Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

In Thanh Xuan District, congested streets include Le Trong Tan, Hoang Van Thai, Nguyen Ngoc Nai, Vuong Thua Vu, Nguyen Van Troi, Nguyen Tuan, Luong The Vinh, Nguyen Xien, Quan Nhan - Vu Trong Phung, Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Huy Tuong, Phung Khoang, and To Huu.

In Hai Ba Trung District, streets affected include Nguyen Khoai, Lac Trung, Mac Thi Buoi, Hang Chuoi, Tran Xuan Soan, Thanh Nhan, and Yessin.

In Cau Giay District, congestion has occurred at the intersection of Duong Dinh Nghe - Nam Trung Yen, Hoang Quoc Viet, Phan Van Truong, Phung Chi Kien, Tran Binh, and Hoa Bang Street.

In Hoang Mai District, flooded and congested streets include Thinh Liet, Den Lu Road, Hoang Mai Road, Vinh Hung Street, Truong Dinh, Linh Nam, and Dinh Cong. In Nam Tu Liem District, congestion was reported on Do Duc Duc, Phung Khoang, and the underpass at Thang Long Boulevard.

In Ha Dong District, affected streets included Trieu Khuc, Quyet Thang Road, Phung Hung, To Hieu, and Yen Nghia.

Due to rapidly rising floodwaters on the Red River, large vehicles are now restricted on the Chuong Duong Bridge, which crosses the river.

As a result, traffic congestion has occurred at both ends of the bridge, where traffic police have been deployed to direct vehicles.

Chuong Duong connects Hanoi's downtown Hoan Kiem District with Long Bien District, playing a major role in facilitating traffic in the capital city.

Only motorcycles, four-seat cars and public bus are allowed on Chuong Duong Bridge on Sept. 10, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

Police direct traffic heading onto Chuong Duong Bridge towards Hanoi's Hoan Kiem District. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy