Heaviest unseasonal rain in 20 years causes widespread flooding in southern Vietnam

The heavy rain accompanied by lightning was recorded early Thursday morning in HCMC and neighboring provinces, including Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Dong Nai. The downpour persisted for four to five hours until around 8 a.m., leading to severe inundation.

Heavy rains cause floods at the underpass of the Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho interchange in HCMC's District 7 on the morning of Feb. 13, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Minh Trinh

In HCMC, flooding was reported at the underpass of the Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho interchange in District 7.

Water levels in the low-lying section reached nearly half the car wheels, making it difficult for vehicles to pass and causing congestion at the tunnel entrance.

Several four-seater cars stalled while attempting to navigate the flooded area, requiring tow trucks for assistance. The underpass, which opened late last year, was built with a VND830 billion (US$34 million) investment.

In Long Thanh and Nhon Trach districts of Dong Nai, floodwaters entered rental houses, forcing residents to stay up overnight, scrambling to move their belongings to prevent damage.

Floodwaters invade a house near the Nhon Trach Industrial Park in Dong Nai Province, forcing residents to put their fridge on a chair to prevent damage. Photo by VnExpress/Thai Ha

On National Highway 51 through Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai, floodwaters reached nearly a meter deep, submerging some sections beyond the median strip. Many motorcyclists were unable to pass, forcing them to seek alternative routes or wait for the water to recede.

Le Dinh Quyet, head of forecasting at the Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Center, said rainfall from Wednesday night to 6 a.m. Thursday reached over 126 mm in Long Thanh District (Dong Nai) and 124 mm in Nha Be District (HCMC).

He said unseasonal rainfall exceeding 100 mm at a time is extremely rare, with no similar event recorded in southern Vietnam in the past 20 years. The heavy rain was triggered by atmospheric disturbances caused by the tropical depression.

A car is towed by rescuers after breaking down on a flooded street in HCMC on the morning of Feb. 13, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Minh Trinh

Historical data indicates that HCMC has experienced February rainfall in 12 out of the past 20 years (2005-2025) . However, Thursday's downpour nearly doubled the previous record set in 2006.

On Wednesday, heavy rain lasting three hours also caused flooding in multiple areas in the city, including Binh Thanh District and District 7, forcing residents to navigate flooded streets and clear debris to prevent drainage blockages.

According to weather forecasts, rainfall is expected to continue across HCMC and southern provinces until the end of the week.