Long Biên Bridge, Hà Nội on Tuesday morning. VNA/VNS Photo Hoài Nam

HÀ NỘI - Alert Level One was sounded in the vicinity of wards near the Hồng (Red) River on Tuesday at noon by the Hà Nội Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, with the water level in Long Biên reaching 9.5 metres.

That is the highest it has been for decades at this point on the Red River.

Upstream of Long Biên, the river levels have already reached those of the 1968 floods, exceeding dangerous heights by over a metre, with the forecast by the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) suggesting that the level will keep rising.

The water level of the Red River reached 9.5 metres, the threshold for Level 1 flood alert, at around 11.10am on Tuesday and the alert was swiftly sounded. Hà Nội will further increase the alert to Level 2 and Level 3 if the water levels reach 10.5 metres and 11.5 metres, respectively.

Heavy rainfall following Typhoon Yagi has caused the river's water level to rise, resulting in flooding in various parts of the capital city, causing much disruption to residents' daily lives.

The alert mandates that the Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Committees of the affected districts, as well as relevant agencies, strictly enforce regulations to mitigate the impact of the floods.

Flooding in Chương Dương Độ, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội on Tuesday. VNS Photo Đoàn Tùng

35 households along Red River evacuated

An emergency meeting by the Hà Nội People's Committee heard that levels at several key rivers were already at critical levels.

The meeting, organised on Tuesday morning was led by Vice Chairman of the Hà Nội People's Committee Nguyễn Mạnh Quyền, who discussed emergency measures across various departments, district committees and local governments.

During the meeting, Nguyễn Xuân Đại, Director of Hà Nội's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, reported that water levels on key rivers were at dangerous levels. Specifically, rivers such as the Tích, Bùi, Cầu, and Đáy had exceeded the flood alert Level 3, while the Nhuệ and Cà Lồ rivers were already at alert Level 2.

Additionally, Tuyên Quang Hydropower Plant was discharging water through seven floodgates, Thác Bà through three and Hòa Bình through two.

On Monday night, Ba Đình District evacuated 35 households and a total of 55 residents from the Long Biên market area to safety. Local authorities are closely monitoring river water levels and preparing for further evacuations if necessary.

The water level of the Red River reached 9.5 metres, the threshold for Level 1 flood alert, at around 11.10am on Tuesday. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyết

Rainfall worsens

Đinh Hữu Dương, Head of Forecasting at the Northern Delta and Midlands Meteorological and Hydrological Station, said that over the next 24 hours, Hà Nội and neighbouring areas could experience moderate to heavy rainfall, with accumulated totals ranging between 50-80mm and some areas exceeding 100mm.

Heavy rainfall, combined with rising river water levels, posed significant risks, including landslides and prolonged flooding in low-lying areas and islands along the Đà, Hồng, Cầu, Đuống, Đáy and Cà Lồ rivers. Flood depths were expected to range from half a metre to one metre of water.

Particularly at risk were areas along the Hồng and Đuống rivers, such as Phúc Xá (Ba Đình), Ngọc Lâm ferry terminal, the shores near Long Biên Bridge, Nhật Tân Bridge, Thăng Long Bridge, the area behind Long Biên market and Chèm Temple in Bắc Từ Liêm.

Ensuring public safety

Vice Chairman Nguyễn Mạnh Quyền stressed that the Hà Nội Party Committee was closely monitoring the flood situation following Typhoon Yagi. On Monday night, Chairman of the People's Committee Trần Sỹ Thanh also issued an urgent order to respond to severe flooding.

Quyền urged all departments and local authorities to remain vigilant and prepare for flooding by implementing the 'four on-the-spot' approach, ensuring that communities are informed of flood risks, especially those living near rivers and dikes.

The Vice Chairman stressed that there must be no loss of life and that residents must be evacuated if necessary, with support provided to protect their property.

Quyền also instructed the Department of Industry and Trade, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and other relevant agencies to ensure sufficient supplies of food and essential goods for residents in areas at risk of being cut off by floodwaters. VNS