Downpours triggered by storm Wipha expected to flood many parts of Hanoi

The storm was located approximately 220 km east of Vietnam’s Quang Ninh-Hai Phong at 7:00 am on Monday and is expected to move into the Gulf of Tonkin later in the day, said the national weather center.

As of 7:00 am, Wipha’s maximum sustained winds near the center were at level 9 (75-88 kph) on the Beaufort scale, gusting up to level 11 (103-117 kph).

The system was traveling west-southwest at 15-20 kph.

Over the next 24 hours, Wipha is forecast to move west-southwest at 10-15 kph, reaching the northern part of the Gulf of Tonkin, with wind speeds of level 10-11 (89-117 kph), gusting to level 14 (150-166 kph).

Starting from Monday afternoon, the capital is forecast to receive heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms.

The rain volume is expected to reach up to 250 mm between Monday and Wednesday.

Rainfall may ease from Wednesday to Friday but will continue, with precipitation ranging between 50 mm and 100 mm.

Heavy downpours are likely to overwhelm urban drainage systems, causing flooding in multiple streets citywide.

Some streets will be submerged under 50 centimeters of rainwater, while these floodwaters may linger for 30 to 60 minutes, or longer in low-lying zones.

Meteorologists warned that thunderstorms accompanying the rains could bring strong winds, lightning, and whirlwinds, posing high risks of uprooted trees, damage to infrastructure, and hazardous driving conditions because of reduced visibility and slippery roads.

River levels are also a concern. Despite a current downward trend in water levels on major rivers like the Da, Hong, and Duong, a new flood wave is expected between Monday and Friday.

During this period, water levels on local rivers, such as the Bui, Tich, and Ca Lo, may rise by 1.5 to 3.5 meters.