HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain

By Quynh Tran, Dinh Van, Thanh Tung   October 8, 2024 | 06:01 am PT
Several streets, alleys, and homes in Thao Dien Ward, home to the largest expat community in HCMC, and other neighborhoods were inundated with waist-high water following a heavy rainstorm on Tuesday afternoon.
HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain

At 2:30 p.m., heavy rain accompanied by thunders and lightnings triggered severe flooding across numerous roads in the city.

On Quoc Huong Street in Thu Duc City's Thao Dien Ward, water levels rose to half a meter, causing many vehicles to stall, forcing owners to walk them.

Pictured is Nguyen Van Hoang standing with an umbrella, waiting for a rescue team to assist with his stalled car.

HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain

People placed ladders and sandbags on the street to warn others of deeply flooded areas.

HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain

A foreign man was spotted walking his broken-down motorcycle through the water on Quoc Huong Street, which had risen to half the height of the vehicle's tires.

HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain

On Chu Van An Street in Binh Thanh District, many residents erected barriers to prevent floodwaters from entering their homes. Trash and plastic bags clogged the drains, further slowing down water drainage.

HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain

Loc, a 60-year-old resident, used a wooden stick to clear trash and unblock the drains.

"The rain brought down trash from the market located above here, making the flooding worse," he explained. "I have to clear the trash, or the water will keep flooding until evening."

HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain
HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain

Huynh Chi Hung, 65, found his house on Duong Van Cam Street, Thu Duc City, submerged in nearly a meter of water, as the house had not been raised to avoid flooding.

"I've lived here since I was a child, and this area has been flooding for over 30 years," Hung said, adding that it typically takes two hours for the water to drain before he can start cleaning up.

HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain

In Hung's neighboring house, tenants used wooden barriers to block the water and buckets to scoop it out manually.

According to the Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Center, high-altitude wind disturbances triggered heavy rainfall across several districts in HCMC, with rainfall exceeding 50 mm in some areas. In the coming days, southern Vietnam is expected to see continued heavy rain.

Additionally, the development of strong convective clouds contributed to thunderstorms and lightning across many parts of the city. Authorities advised residents to avoid parking or seeking shelter under trees and to stay clear of metal objects or electrical conductors during thunderstorms.

HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain

The heavy rain also led to traffic jams on Dien Bien Phu Street, particularly in the direction from Hang Xanh intersection to Saigon Bridge leading to Thao Dien.

HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain

An ambulance car is stuck in traffic near the Hang Xanh intersection at 5:30 p.m.

HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain

Vehices are stuck on Dien Bien Phu Street at 6:30 p.m.

HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain

Congestion spans 5 km from Saigon Bridge to Hang Xanh intersection.

HCMC's expat hub Thao Dien flooded after heavy rain

As it gets darker, long lines of vehicles continue inching up from the Saigon Bridge towards Dien Bien Phu Street to enter the city's center.

 
 
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