Heavy rain washes trash into Hanoi’s To Lich River, raising pollution concerns

After a midday downpour on Thursday, water levels in the 14-kilometer-long river rose sharply, carrying waste from upstream into central areas.

Observers reported sections of the river’s surface blanketed with floating debris between Hoang Quoc Viet and Tran Duy Hung Streets.

“I was shocked. The amount of garbage in the river is overwhelming,” said Nguyen Thi Tam, a 35-year-old local resident.

“People downstream will suffer the most.”

The storm, accompanied by lightning and strong winds, also caused minor flooding on several streets and broke tree branches in parts of the capital.

Meteorological data showed intense lightning activity in Hanoi and neighboring provinces during the rain.

The To Lich River, which originates in the newly-expanded Nghia Do Ward that comprises several old wards in former Cau Giay District, and flows into the Nhue River in Huu Hoa Commune, now part of new Dai Thanh Commune, receives an estimated 160,000 cubic meters of mostly untreated domestic wastewater daily.

City authorities are currently undertaking a dredging operation and constructing a weir in efforts to improve water quality.

The dredging, led by Hanoi Sewerage and Drainage Company (HSDC), is scheduled for completion by August 20.

However, the volume of trash entering the river during storms has raised doubts about the long-term effectiveness of cleanup efforts.

More rain expected

The national weather service forecast continued heavy rain in Hanoi and northern Vietnam through Thursday with localized rainfall reaching over 60mm in some areas.

Flooding of 15–40 cm is expected on multiple streets in the capital, including Thai Ha, Le Duan, Chua Boc, and Nguyen Trai, particularly in low-lying areas.

Water levels are expected to recede within 30–60 minutes after the rain ends.

Authorities have also warned of flash floods and landslides in mountainous regions, and potential thunderstorms with hail and strong gusts in central and southern provinces.