Central Vietnam streets become rivers in downpour flooding

By Nguyen Dong, Vo Thanh   October 13, 2023 | 05:59 am PT
Prolonged heavy rain all day Friday flooded streets in the central cities of Hue and Da Nang, making driving impossible.
Central Vietnam streets become rivers in downpour flooding

The An Cuu urban area in Hue was flooded due to the long downpour, leaving motorbikes immobilized.

Central Vietnam streets become rivers in downpour flooding

The water reached 1-1.5m surrounding the 350 households of An Tay Ward, Hue. Police had to mobilize two small boats to get residents and students out of the flooded area.

Central Vietnam streets become rivers in downpour flooding

The house of Nguyen Hoang, 58, was flooded under nearly a meter of water.

“My house is flooded every year, but not this bad. The rain today was too heavy and long, we were not ready for it,” Hoang said.

Central Vietnam streets become rivers in downpour flooding

Residents of Giong Hamlet in An Tay moved their motorbikes next to the railway to avoid the flood.

Central Vietnam streets become rivers in downpour flooding

A road in the An Dong urban area was also filled with water.

Central Vietnam streets become rivers in downpour flooding

On National Highway 1A, a section passing through Thuy Duong Ward, Huong Thuy Town was flooded and police had to direct traffic to avoid congestion.

In Da Nang City, at 4:30 p.m. a series of streets turned into rivers due to the heavy rain. Video by Nguyen Dong
Central Vietnam streets become rivers in downpour flooding

Downtown streets such as Le Duan, Hai Phong, Quang Trung, Nguyen Van Linh and Ham Nghi were flooded under 0.5-0.7 meters of water.

Central Vietnam streets become rivers in downpour flooding

Staff at a bookstore on Le Duan Street, Thanh Khe District, used boards and tarpaulin tarps to cover the entrance to the garage.

Central Vietnam streets become rivers in downpour flooding

Motorbikes stalled in the water and had to be pushed through the floods on foot. Since September 10, Da Nang has experienced at least three floods, of which this Friday afternoon’s was the worst so far.

Central Vietnam streets become rivers in downpour flooding

A mother carries her child on a flooded sidewalk. This afternoon, Da Nang gave non-boarding students a day off from school. However, many boarding school students still went to school and parents struggled to pick up their children.

Central Vietnam streets become rivers in downpour flooding

At around 5 p.m., many people chose to take their motorbikes onto the sidewalk. Some people stood in the rain waiting for the water to recede, while others parked their vehicles in dry places and walked home.

According to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, until October 15, Da Nang and provinces from Ha Tinh to Quang Nam will continue to get heavy rain, with average flood levels of 200-350 mm, and even up to 500 mm in some places.

In Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue and Da Nang the average water level is now 300-400 mm and has risen over 700 mm in some places. The risk of flooding in urban areas and landslides in mountainous areas is very high.

 
 
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