It takes only 30 minutes of rain to flood central Da Lat

The rain came suddenly, causing water levels to rise rapidly and catching many residents and tourists off guard. Some had to seek temporary shelter along the streets.

Several streets were flooded, including Phan Dinh Phung, To Ngoc Van, Van Kiep, To Hieu and Cach Mang Thang Tam. 

Water reached 20-50 cm deep on several roads in central Da Lat after the brief but heavy downpour.

At familiar flood-prone spots on Phan Dinh Phung, Mac Dinh Chi and Hai Ba Trung Streets and along sections of Cam Ly stream, several drainage outlets were unable to discharge water quickly enough. Water backed up onto the streets, carrying household waste and mud.

Businesses along the affected streets used wooden boards and sandbags to block dirty water from entering their premises.

The rain eased after 4:30 pm, allowing water on the affected streets to gradually recede.

Environmental sanitation workers then cleared layers of mud and debris from the roads.

Flooding after heavy rain has become a recurring problem in Da Lat. 

Over the past three years, serious flooding has occurred almost every year at familiar locations, particularly along the Cam Ly stream system and roads running along Phan Dinh Phung stream.

Residents have previously said that the low-lying section of Phan Dinh Phung Street frequently floods during heavy rain, as the area's underground drainage system is both too small and partly buried under soil and rocks.