Heavy downpour compound morning rush hour in Hà Nội

June 13, 2017 | 17:22

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Heavy rain lashed the capital on Tuesday morning, catching Hanoians off-guard and creating major traffic snarls during the peak morning hours.

Flooded Lý Thường Kiệt - Phan Bội Chậu intersection in the downtown district of Hoàn Kiếm has caused considerable hassles for traffic following a heavy rainfall across the capital city in early morning. - VNA/VNS Photo Doãn Tuấn

The unexpected 30-minute downpour, across both Hà Nội’s urban and outlying districts, had people parking their bikes on pavements and scrambling to take shelter under the nearest roofs.

The shower, which began around 7am, led to minor flooding in several streets and residential areas, which in turn created serious traffic jam that continued even after the morning rush hours.

At Hoàn Kiếm (Sword) Lake in downtown Hà Nội, a popular spot for tourists, it rained as much as 50mm.

In the urban Đống Đa District’s Phạm Ngọc Thạch Street, floodwater rose to half the height of car tyres, slowing down traffic and causing congestion, which was further worsened by motorists driving on pavements to avoid floodwater.

On Vĩnh Tuy Bridge that crosses the Red River, heavy rain and very strong winds toppled several bikers trying to cross it. Some of them had to stop and hold on to the railing of the bridge, online newspaper VietnamPlus reported.

The Hà Nội Sewerage and Drainage Co. Ltd. said it has deployed a large number of workers to flooded zones to clear floodwater and put up signposts warning of danger.

All of the northern and northern central regions can expect heavy showers till June 15. Between June 14 and 16, water levels in Thao and Lô rivers have been forecast to rise as high as three to five metres.

East Sea storm weakens

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said this year’s first storm over the East Sea, named Merbok, made landfall in China’s Guandong province and has since weakened into a tropical depression.

The storm will lead to heavy rain accompanied by strong gusts in the southern part of East Sea (South China Sea), as well as in the waters between the Ninh Thuận and Cà Mau provinces.

VNS

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