Heavy rain turns streets into torrents, knocks motorcyclists down in Ho Chi Minh City

The downpour began after 6:00 pm, causing flooding on several streets, including Dang Thi Ranh, Linh Dong, Le Van Viet, Nguyen Van Huong and R12, making local residents' travel and business difficult.

On Dang Thi Ranh Street, flooding was not as severe as during the heavy rain on September 10, but the downpour still caused difficulties for many people.

On Linh Dong Street, rainwater rose rapidly and flowed strongly, making it difficult for motorcyclists to get through.

The rushing water carried garbage bags and other objects along the road, obstructing traffic.

Some motorcyclists were unable to continue through the flooded sections and had to pull over in front of houses to take shelter and wait for the water to recede.

Le Thi Hong, a local resident, said Friday’s flooding was the sixth time the street had been inundated since Ho Chi Minh City began experiencing a series of heavy downpours this year.

She said the water rose quite high during Friday evening's rain but was still not as severe as several days earlier, when floodwater rose high enough to enter homes and disrupt daily life.

Residents said prolonged heavy rain often causes serious difficulties for travel and business in the area because the water rises quickly.

Other streets, including Pham Van Chieu, Nguyen Van Huong and R12, also experienced flooding after the rain.

On Ly Te Xuyen Street near its intersection with Linh Dong Street in Hiep Binh Ward, floodwater became deep and flowed rapidly, sweeping vehicles along the street.

From around 6:30 pm, water from both Linh Dong Street and a branch of Linh Tay Stream flowed toward Ly Te Xuyen Street. The area is relatively low-lying, causing water to accumulate quickly and form a strong current across the road.

The water rushed in waves, with some sections producing large swells. Several motorcyclists were knocked off their bikes by the current and had to rely on nearby residents to pull their vehicles to safety and help them cross the flooded area.

Residents along the street also came out to assist people in trouble. Many people stopped at the beginning of Ly Te Xuyen Street near Linh Dong Street, waiting for the water to recede before continuing their journeys.

Nguyen Xuan, 72, who lives at 7 Ly Te Xuyen Street, said the area in front of her home was among the places hit by deep, fast-flowing floodwater. Flooding has occurred there for years, but she said the situation had become more severe recently.

Although her family had put up barriers at the entrance, water still entered the house to a depth of nearly half a meter.

"Whenever this happens, I don't dare go outside. I only stand at the door because I'm afraid of the strong current," Xuan said.

As of 8:15 pm, rain was still falling. Although water levels on Ly Te Xuyen Street had receded somewhat, the current remained strong, and many people gathered at the beginning of the street, afraid to ride through the flooded section.

Flooding and strong currents also caused traffic congestion on Ly Te Xuyen and Linh Dong streets and nearby areas.

Under Ho Chi Minh City's flood-control plan for 2026-27, a project to dredge and renovate Thu Duc Canal had been approved to address flooding in this area and around Thu Duc Market.

Another project, worth more than VND2.77 trillion (US$105.7 million), will improve drainage along Linh Tay Stream by building a new drainage system more than 1.7km long and reconstructing 1.66km of roadway.

Rain forecast through Sunday

Northern Vietnam was expected to see less rain on Saturday, while areas from Nghe An Province southward to the Mekong Delta were forecast to experience showers to heavy rain, with extremely heavy rain in some places.

In Ho Chi Minh City, moderate to heavy rain, with extremely heavy rain in some places, was forecast from 1:00 pm on September 18 to 1:00 pm on September 20.

Rainfall over the 48-hour period was expected to reach 70-150mm, with some areas receiving more than 150mm.

Across southern Vietnam, moderate to heavy rain, with extremely heavy rain in some places, was forecast during the same period, with rainfall of 80-150mm and more than 170mm in some areas.