HCMC faces risk of severe flooding this week as high tides coincide with heavy rain

Low-lying and riverside areas across the city and the wider southern region are likely to be most affected.

The Southern Hydrometeorological Station warned that tide peaks at Phu An Station on the Saigon River could reach 1.70–1.75 m — above the third warning level, the highest alert — between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

At the same time, many parts of the city could receive up to 100 mm of rain as Typhoon Kalmaegi is expected to enter the East Sea (South China Sea) on Wednesday and move toward the south-central region.

Le Dinh Quyet, head of the station’s weather forecasting department, said the combination of a strong tidal peak and heavy rain will cause severe flooding in low-lying neighborhoods and along the Saigon River.

"There will be another five to six tidal peaks in the last two months of the year. If they coincide with heavy rain or strong northeasterly winds, the flooding risk will be very serious," he warned, urging residents to take proactive measures.

Heavy tides earlier this month already caused extensive damage. From Oct. 21–24, tides reached a record 1.77 m on the Saigon River, inundating parts of the city’s eastern and southern gateways. Rising water breached the retaining wall at the Binh Quoi tourist area in the former Binh Thanh District, submerging the site by as much as one meter and affecting hundreds of households in the Thanh Da residential area.

Several major roads — including Tran Xuan Soan, Pham Huu Lau and National Highway 50 (in the former District 7 and Binh Chanh District) — were submerged for extended periods, disrupting traffic and daily life.

Tides above the third warning level also caused serious flooding in other southern provinces. In Can Tho and Vinh Long, water levels topped 2.3 m, surpassing 2022 records, and river water overflowed embankments and dikes, flooding streets, homes, fruit gardens and aquaculture ponds.

Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to monitor forecasts closely, secure property and follow official guidance as the region prepares for further tidal peaks and storm-related rainfall.