Heavy rain and floods in northern Vietnam submerge homes and disrupt economy

Heavy rain triggered flooding across northern Vietnam on Thursday, disrupting travel, submerging homes and pushing several rivers above hazardous levels, according to authorities and state media. The week-long downpour dumped more than 50 centimeters of rain in some northern and north-central regions, with Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces, south of the capital Hanoi, particularly hard hit.

Over 2,000 homes were inundated, key transportation routes crippled and more than 1,000 households cut off. The disaster-prone nation, already vulnerable to flooding, has taken steps to better prepare for such events after severe storms last year. Authorities advised students to remain indoors in Thanh Hoa province as travel to school became hazardous.

Floodwaters submerged or damaged roughly 10,014 hectares of crops, with Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces bearing the brunt of the damage. Thousands of animals also perished. "The flood happens every year," said Ninh Binh resident Tran Ngoc Tai. While many streets in Hanoi were inundated with water up to a meter deep, disrupting commutes and making it tough for residents to reach work, school or their homes.

Rainfall from Wednesday night to Thursday morning surpassed 15 centimeters in several areas, state media reported. High schools and universities in Hanoi either closed or shifted to online classes due to the heavy rain and flooding. The Bui River's rising waters threatened to inundate homes in the southwest outskirts of Hanoi, prompting authorities to deploy hundreds of soldiers to help residents relocate their belongings to safer ground.

Forecasters predict five days of heavy rain will hit southern Vietnam, including flood-prone Ho Chi Minh City, starting September 17, with the southern city expected to receive 10 to 20 centimeters of rain. Authorities have warned of flooding in low-lying areas and along waterways, and Ho Chi Minh City could see between 10 to 20 centimeters of rain, with some spots receiving even more.

Recent flooding in Vietnam has been commonplace, with Tropical Storm Wipha causing heavy rain and flooding in July, followed by additional flooding and landslides in August when Tropical Storm Kajiki hit, and Typhoon Bualoi claiming at least 26 lives in September. In October, central Vietnam's historic cities of Hue and Hoi An, along with much of northern Vietnam, were submerged in floodwaters.