Report HCMC Experiences Heaviest Rainfall in Nearly a Decade, Causing Widespread Flooding

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On Saturday morning, Ho Chi Minh City was overwhelmed by the heaviest rainfall it has experienced in nearly a decade, with almost 230 mm of rain falling in just 90 minutes. The unprecedented downpour also affected neighboring provinces, causing significant disruptions and damage.

 

The rain began around 6 a.m., enveloping Thu Duc City, Binh Thanh, Go Vap, and surrounding districts under dark clouds and thunderstorms. Floodwaters quickly rose, submerging roads above motorbike wheels and reaching seat levels in lower-lying areas. This led to dozens of vehicles being disabled and brought traffic to a standstill.

 

Residents inside homes and businesses scrambled to prevent water damage, with street vendors using plastic sheets and wooden planks in a desperate attempt to protect their goods.

 

"This is the most severe rainfall not caused by a typhoon in the past decade," stated Le Dinh Quyet, a meteorologist at the Southern Hydrometeorological Center. The last comparable event was during storm Usagi in November 2018.

 

Over the years, the Tan Son Hoa weather station in Tan Binh District has recorded rain levels beyond 100 mm only 19 times between 1978 and 2024, with only five instances where rain exceeded 150 mm. The recent event was due to a powerful southwest wind that pulled moisture inland, combined with a low-pressure system, resulting in 230 mm of rain in Cu Chi District.

 

Meteorologist Nguyen Ngoc Huy added that cumulative atmospheric moisture, exacerbated by urban heat and a cold front, contributed to the sudden storm.

Neighboring provinces Binh Duong and Dong Nai also faced heavy downpours, with rain levels between 100–150 mm. In Binh Duong's Thuan An City, sections of National Highway 13 submerged under over a meter of water, isolating communities and prompting evacuations.

 

Rural flooding caused access issues, urging emergency teams to relocate vulnerable residents. Strong winds knocked down traffic lights, and upstream water forced National Highway 1K into becoming a temporary river.

 

Affected neighborhoods like Tan Dong Hiep and Binh An wards witnessed severe disruptions, leading authorities to evacuate families and prioritize safety. In Dong Nai's Trang Bom District, fast currents swept away motorbikes, and Song May Industrial Park workers found themselves stranded amid half-meter-high floodwaters.

 

Met officials now warn of further unpredictable weather as southern Vietnam transitions to a neutral climate phase, marked by irregular rainfall and stronger storms. The forecast predicts continued downpours with risks of thunderstorms, high winds, lightning, and hail through May 14.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-05-13