Heavy rain eases across northern Vietnam, but river floods remain high
VOV.VN - Heavy rain has eased across northern Vietnam after several days of downpours, but high water levels on several rivers continue to pose flooding risks in low-lying, riverside and downstream areas.
The change in weather has been noticeable after several days of prolonged heavy rain. In many urban areas, rainfall has eased and floodwaters have receded, making travel easier. However, outside the cities, high river levels continue to affect a number of residential areas.
According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, flooding along the lower Hoang Long and Buoi rivers had peaked and was receding slowly. The Day River, meanwhile, continued to rise slowly and remained above Level 3 alert. Water levels on several other rivers, including the Ma and Boi, were falling but stayed high.
Over the next 24 hours, flooding on the Hoang Long and Buoi rivers is forecast to keep receding, but the Day River is expected to stay above Level 3. The weather bureau also warned of flooding in low-lying areas along rivers and in urban areas across northern Vietnam, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An.
In Hanoi, the weather turned noticeably drier by the morning of September 18. After a rain-free night, water receded from most flooded locations, traffic largely returned to normal and many streets were dry. The capital recorded no rain from the afternoon of September 17 through the morning of September 18.
Flooding and landslide risks persist
The easing rain does not mean the risk of natural disasters has ended. The weather bureau continued to warn of a high risk of flooding in low-lying areas along rivers, as well as possible flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas of northern Vietnam, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An.
In Phu Tho, authorities on September 18 continue to move residents away from areas at high risk of landslides, deal with flooded and isolated sections of roads, and maintain response teams on duty.
Thanh Hoa is also stepping up recovery efforts following days of severe flooding and landslides. Earlier, the province had to evacuate more than 1,000 households to safety as floodwaters rose.
As rainfall eased across northern Vietnam, the focus of heavy rain has shifted further south to Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, where moderate to heavy rain, with locally very heavy downpours, is forecast on September 18 and into the night.
After several days of heavy rain, northern Vietnam is therefore entering a period of easing rainfall and receding floodwaters, but the situation still requires close attention. Although conditions have improved in many urban areas, high water levels and landslide risks persist in riverside, downstream and mountainous areas.
Commuters wade through flooded streets as torrential rain lashes Hanoi
VOV.VN - Heavy downpours battering northern Vietnam have caused deep flooding on many streets in Hanoi, making travel difficult as vehicles struggle to navigate inundated areas.
