Heavy rains flood Hanoi streets again, residents struggle to get home

The downpour, linked to storm Kajiki’s impact, disrupted traffic and daily life across the Vietnamese capital.

According to the Northern Hydrometeorological Station, Hanoi received between 200 and 300 millimeters of rainfall in 24 hours, with some wards hit even harder such as Hai Ba Trung measuring 420mm, Dong Da 325mm, Hoang Mai 340mm, and Ha Dong 320mm.

More than 50 severe flooding points were recorded citywide.

Key flood-prone roads included Thuy Khue, Doi Can, Lieu Giai, Ngoc Khanh, Dao Tan, Tran Binh, Quan Nhan, Nguyen Tuan, Nguyen Trai, Le Van Luong, and To Huu.

At Thuy Khue Street’s La Pho slope, floodwater reached 30-40cm, leaving motorcycles and low-clearance cars stranded.

By 10:00 pm, parts of Hoang Tung Street and the Geleximco urban area remained under 50-60cm of water, forcing residents to abandon vehicles and wade home.

Some hired makeshift boats or handcarts at prices of VND100,000 (US$4) to VND200,000 ($8) per person.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned of further rainfall until Wednesday midday, with rainfall of 50-100mm and localized downpours of more than 200mm, raising risks of flooding, flash floods, and landslides in northern and north-central provinces.

Kajiki, the fifth storm to hit the East Vietnam Sea this year, made landfall in the north-central provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh on Monday afternoon.

The storm damaged nearly 7,000 homes, inundated 28,800 hectares of rice plantings and felled 18,000 trees, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing the Vietnamese government.