Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter was inundated with floodwaters on Wednesday, August 14th, as heavy rain lasting over two hours transformed vibrant streets into temporary rivers. The downpour, which began around 5:30 p.m. and continued until 8 p.m., led to severe flooding in key districts, with water levels reaching up to 50 centimeters in some areas. The rainfall was particularly intense, 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 intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets, typically bustling with tourists, bore the brunt of the flooding. The famous Ta Hien beer street, a popular destination in Hoan Kiem District, was among the worst affected. Images showed foreign tourists wading through the floodwaters, which reached over 20 centimeters in some places, turning the usually lively area into an eerie and deserted scene.
Local businesses were significantly impacted by the flooding. Shops that are usually bustling with customers were left empty as the rising water forced them to close early. Some eateries saw their patrons perched precariously 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, echoing the sentiments of other shop owners who faced similar disruptions to their businesses.
The Northern Delta Regional Hydro-Meteorological Station has issued a warning 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.
