Rainfall in Vietnam’s Nghe An breaks 41-year record

According to the national weather center, heavy to extremely heavy rain affected the localities from Nghe An to Quang Tri the same day.

Between 7:00 am and 1:00 pm, the Vinh area recorded 399 mm, while Ho Xuan Hoa in Ha Tinh Province received 157 mm and Dong Hoi in Quang Tri Province recorded 146 mm.

In Vinh, the downpour flooded numerous major roads, severely disrupting traffic.

Historical meteorological data showed that Vinh’s previous record for the highest rainfall in a single day in September was 387.9 mm, recorded on September 10, 1985.

Meteorologists attributed the latest rainfall to a combination of weak low-level northeasterly winds, the northern edge of the tropical convergence zone, and an upper-level easterly wind disturbance.

Together, these factors caused strong wind convergence over a relatively narrow area of Nghe An and Ha Tinh Provinces.

Floodwaters in Vinh began to recede on Saturday afternoon.

Local authorities deployed personnel to guide traffic and divert vehicles away from flooded areas.

Heavy to extremely heavy rain are forecast to continue hitting many localities in central Vietnam on Sunday, with rainfall ranging from 40 mm to 80 mm.

Some eastern areas might see rainfall of up to 200 mm.

Also, the southern and Central Highlands regions are forecast to experience moderate rain and thunderstorms on Sunday, with rainfall ranging from 20 mm to 40 mm.

Rescuers race to help stranded vehicles

After the downpour flooded numerous roads in central Vinh, scores of cars broke down or became stranded in floodwaters late on Saturday afternoon.

As observed by Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper at 6:45 pm, rainfall began to ease, but many streets remained severely flooded, leaving vehicles unable to move.

Numerous cars were left stranded in the middle of the roads, disrupting traffic.

Vehicle owners called specialized rescue teams to tow their cars out of the flooded areas.

Rescue services reportedly charged VND1.5-2 million (US$57-76) per car, depending on the location and condition of the vehicle.

Waiting for a rescue truck to tow his Mercedes car from flooded Hong Bang Street, Tran Trong Nghia, 36, a resident of Vinh Phu Ward, said the water had initially risen to more than half the height of his wheels.

“I tried to drive through, but the car stopped after going a short distance,” he said.

“The street was flooded severely, so I had to call a tow truck to take the car to a garage.

“I have never seen flooding this severe in this area.”

With the number of stranded vehicles rising, rescue teams were dispatched to assist motorists.

As of 5:00 pm on Saturday, nearly 16,000 homes in Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, Ninh Binh, and Nghe An had remained inundated, according to the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority.