Hanoi records widespread flooding in wake of typhoon Yagi

Hanoi is grappling with unprecedented flooding following typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Vietnam in three decades. The torrential rains and subsequent flooding have left a trail of devastation across the capital, prompting widespread evacuations.

By noon on Wednesday, water levels in the Red River had reached 11.1 meters, the highest since 2004.

Hanoi authorities reported that most districts, from the downtown to the suburbs, were submerged under rising waters. In central areas, neighborhoods in Tay Ho, Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, and Long Bien districts were particularly hit.

In downtown Hoan Kiem District, soldiers were deployed to evacuate people on Hong Ha Street as floodwaters continued to rise.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned that while the current flood levels pose less impact to downtown areas, low-lying regions outside the riverbanks remain at significant risk.

The situation remains dire in Soc Son District, where over 3,300 families with 15,700 people have been isolated by the floods from the Cau and Ca Lo rivers, with 1,120 hectares of crops inundated.