Week-long heavy rain forecast for HCMC, raising flooding concerns

"This is the longest-lasting heavy rain since the start of the rainy season in the city and the southern region," Le Dinh Quyet, head of the Forecasting Department at the Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Center, said on Thursday.

Quyet noted that the rain will mainly occur in the afternoon and evening, with occasional showers during the day. He also warned of downpours exceeding 50 mm each, along with thunderstorms that could bring whirlwinds, lightning, and strong winds, potentially leading to flooding in low-lying areas and along rivers.

The prolonged heavy rain is attributed to strong southwest winds combined with a low-pressure trough in the north central and northern regions, which is gradually shifting southward and intensifying from Sept. 13-14. On Thursday afternoon, several districts in HCMC already experienced significant rainfall.

On Sept. 1, rainfall ranging from 20-50 mm, an exceeding 80 mm at some locations, caused flooding in many parts of Thu Duc City and Binh Thanh District, disrupting residents' activities and travel.

Three days later, a thunderstorm swept through multiple districts in HCMC, uprooting trees, breaking branches, crushing numerous cars and motorcycles, and killing one woman traveling on the street.