Hanoi records widespread flooding in wake of typhoon Yagi

In downtown areas, rising waters affected several neighborhoods in Tay Ho, Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh and Long Bien districts, prompting thousands of families to evacuate, Hanoi authorities reported Wednesday.

People in Trung Gia Commune of Soc Son District have to travel around on boats, Sept. 11, 2024. Photo by Pham Chieu

In the suburbs, Chuong My, Quoc Oai and Thach That districts saw widespread inundations. In Hoai Duc District, the Geleximco urban area, the An Khanh tunnel and the Tan Viet apartment complex have been severely flooded. Thanh Tri District has 11 flooded spots, submerging crops and neighborhoods.

Residents at the Ecohome3 building in Bac Tu Liem District use metal fences and sand bags to prevent floodwater from getting into the basement to secure vehicles parked there.

The path leading to the basement is half a meter underwater. Photo by Pham Du

A barricade blocks out the water in front of the basement. Photo by Pham Du

A farm of 100,000 chickens in Ngoc Giang Village of Hanoi's Dong Anh District is severely flooded. People began to flock to the site to buy chickens at discounted prices, VND50,000 ($2.04) per chicken, 3-4 times lower than market prices.

People wait for half an hour to buy chickens. Photo by Loc Chung

Each chicken costs only VND50,000. Photo by Loc Chung

The Hanoi Department of Transport on Wednesday said hydropower plants discharging water has caused water levels to rise in several rivers. The department has banned vessels to operate on Day and Ca Lo rivers, as well as the Yen stream and the Suoi Hai lake, except for vessels participating in flood prevention efforts.

Hanoi has been experiencing widespread rains since Wednesday morning, with rainfall going up to 120 mm in certain districts.

Several streets have been inundated, such as Hoang Nhu Tiep, Co Linh and Vu Xuan Thieu in Long Bien District.

At the To Lich River area, streets like Tong Dan, Tho Nhuom and Thuy Khue were also flooded. However, the water has receded at around 2 p.m.

A section of Hong Ha Street in Hoan Kiem District is flooded. Photo by Giang Huy

The Thang Long Avenue's tunnels and an intersection with Le Trong Tan were flooded. In Cau Giay District, water has receded from streets like Phan Van Truong and Tran Binh since 2 p.m.

Over 3,300 families in Soc Son, with 15,700 people, have been impacted by floods from Cau and Ca Lo rivers. 1,120 ha of crops were inundated.

Several houses in Soc Son are surrounded by floodwater. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Chieu

Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said the current flood levels in Hanoi pose little impact to downtown areas and regions within the banks. Inundated areas are mainly low-lying parts outside the banks, and floodplains in Long Bien, Gia Lam, Thanh Tri, Tay Ho and Hoan Kiem districts.

Water levels on the upstream of the Red River, the Lo River and the Thao River have however peaked and are gradually receding. Reservoirs are regulating water flow. By Wednesday noon, Red River water levels reached 11.1 m.

"Floodwater used to reach over 11 m in 2004, it's happening again after 20 years," Khiem said.

Aerial view of a Red River section in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Anh Phu

Floods came to the An Lac Village of Soc Son District since Tuesday, isolating 1,000 families in the area. People had to travel around on boats and depend on food provided by benefactors.

People travel on boats in Soc Son District. Photo by Pham Chieu

An Lac Village is surrounded by floodwater. Photo by Pham Chieu

The sign of An Lac Village's cemetery is surrounded by water. Photo by Pham Chieu

Hanoi would be experiencing downpours until Thursday morning, according to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting. There can be gales and lightning, among other extreme weather patterns.

The Hanoi Drainage Company has opened the floodgates at the Thanh Liet dam and operating pumps to prevent inundations.

The Phuc Tan Ward in Hoan Kiem District in downtown Hanoi, next to the Red River, is heavily inundated. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong