Ho Chi Minh City braces for heavy rain, flooding as storm Kalmaegi, high tides approach

Based on forecasts from the Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Center, winds from Lam Dong Province to the northern part of Ca Mau Province will reach 20-38 kph, with waves being 2.5 meters high and slightly rough seas.

In the Ca Mau-An Giang-Phu Quoc waters, light winds and waves of 0.5-1.5 meters are expected.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely across both maritime zones, with possible tornadoes and gusts of 39-61 kph during thunderstorms.

The city’s weather will feature intermittent sunshine during the day and widespread rain in the afternoon and evening.

Following the National Civil Defense Steering Committee’s dispatch on storm and flood response, local authorities and agencies citywide have been directed to closely monitor the storm’s developments and prepare plans for flash floods, landslides, and urban inundation caused by heavy rainfall combined with high tides in early November.

Coastal localities, island communes, and Con Dao Special Zone, along with the Border Guard, Fisheries Department, and Coast Radio Stations, have been instructed to track and guide vessels to safe shelters, ensuring no crew remains on board when the storm makes landfall.

Authorities will maintain 24/7 emergency duty, readying rescue teams, vehicles, and equipment for disaster response.

Forecasts indicate that between Wednesday and Thursday, the central East Vietnam Sea and offshore areas from Da Nang City to Khanh Hoa Province could experience winds at 118-166 kph, gusting above 220 kph, with waves 8-10 meters high and very rough seas.

All vessels and offshore structures in the affected zones are warned of extreme conditions including thunderstorms, strong winds, and high waves.

The city’s Department of Construction, Urban Drainage Company, Irrigation Management Company, and Infrastructure Management Center have been instructed to coordinate with local authorities to operate reservoirs, drainage gates, and mobile pumps efficiently, mitigating flooding caused by heavy rain, high tides, and the Dau Tieng Reservoir discharge.

The Southern Irrigation Management Company, Tri An Hydropower Plant, and reservoir management units must monitor water levels and ensure safe operations to minimize flooding downstream.

Meanwhile, the Ho Chi Minh City Greenery Parks Company must promptly handle fallen trees.

The municipal Department of Tourism has ordered a temporary suspension of tourist boat operations during severe weather, and the city’s Power Corporation is tasked with quickly resolving electrical outages caused by thunderstorms.