Around the Hanoi Opera House and Trang Tien Street, only a few vehicles passed by.
On the evening of July 21, Hanoi People's Committee chairman Tran Sy Thanh issued an urgent directive ordering wards and communes to control movement, guide traffic and discourage residents from going outside as the storm struck. Localities were instructed to inspect and evacuate people from weak houses, landslide-prone areas and flood zones.
At the usually crowded Trang Tien-Dinh Tien Hoang intersection in downtown Hanoi, only a handful of tourists were seen taking advantage of a brief pause in the rain to stroll.
Outside the Hanoi Post Office on Dinh Tien Hoang Street, typically packed at midday, foot traffic was nearly non-existent on Tuesday morning. Many companies allowed employees to work from home due to the storm.
By around 10 a.m., central Hanoi saw clearer skies, mild winds and a slight increase in traffic, with some people going out and some shops resuming normal business.
At Thinh Quang Market on Thai Thinh Street, only a few vendors and shoppers were present. “It’s quieter than usual,” said Kim Xuan, a vegetable seller.
“We’re not selling as much today because many shops are closed, so I’m selling meat in small portions. Prices are lower too, just to get it sold quickly,” vendor Hoang Thi Thoa said.
According to the Northern Meteorological Station, Hanoi recorded moderate to heavy rains between 7 a.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday, with rainfall ranging from 20-40 mm.
Strong winds may uproot trees and damage homes and infrastructure. Authorities have issued a disaster risk warning.
Heavy rains are expected to continue into Wednesday, with some areas potentially exceeding 100 mm of rainfall, raising concerns of overburdened drainage systems, urban flooding and traffic gridlocks.
