Wednesday, August 14, 2024 Heavy rain lasting over two hours flooded several streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, significantly impacting local businesses and the daily lives of residents. The downpour, which began around 5:30 p.m.
and continued until 8 p.m., resulted in severe flooding in key districts, with water levels rising to as much as 50 cm in some areas.
The rainfall was particularly intense in several districts, with 162 mm recorded in Hoang Mai District, 94.5 mm in Hoan Kiem District, and 85.2 mm in Hai Ba Trung District.
The heaviest flooding occurred at the intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets, areas typically bustling with tourists. However, on this night, the usually crowded streets were eerily deserted as floodwaters rendered them nearly impassable. The famous Ta Hien beer street, a popular destination in Hoan Kiem District, was among the worst affected.
Foreign tourists were seen wading through the floodwaters, which reached over 20 cm in some places. The heavy rains also caused water to accumulate in low-lying areas, turning the vibrant streets into temporary rivers. Local businesses bore the brunt of the flooding.
Shops that are usually filled with customers were left empty as the rising water forced them to close early. Some eateries saw their patrons perched on tables to avoid the water, while others had to place tables and chairs in the middle of the road to prevent passing cars from pushing water into their premises. Linh Anh, a store owner on Ta Hien Street, expressed frustration over the frequent flooding.
“Every time it floods like this, we can’t sell anything, and we have to clean up, wait for the water to recede, and then clean again all night. It’s a big loss,” she said. This sentiment was echoed by other shop owners who faced similar disruptions to their businesses.
The Northern Delta Regional Hydro-Meteorological Station has indicated that the flooding is likely to continue in the coming days due to the influence of a low-pressure trough passing through the north and high-altitude wind convergence. Hanoi is expected to experience more rain, showers, and thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoons and evenings, through Friday. Residents and business owners in the affected areas are bracing for further disruptions.
Many have already begun preparing for more flooding by placing barriers at their doors and clearing drains in an attempt to mitigate the impact. As the city continues to deal with these weather challenges, the local community remains resilient, though the ongoing situation highlights the need for improved infrastructure to better manage such events in the future..
