HÀ NỘI – Torrential rain in recent days has affected people’s lives and damaged property in Hà Nội and a number of northern provinces, according to the standing office of the national committee on disaster prevention and control.

Rainfall of up to 277mm was recorded in some areas of Hà Nội while in Yên Bái, Sơn La, and Tuyên Quang provinces, it was recorded at 247, 150, and 138mm, respectively. It was the highest rainfall level so far this year.

Torrential rain that began on Tuesday night and continued until early yesterday morning flooded the capital’s city centre, resulting in traffic chaos.

The rain, mostly concentrated in the western part of the city, flooded parts of Cầu Giấy, Bắc Từ Liêm, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Đông and Thanh Xuân districts.

This led to traffic chaos, particularly during the morning rush hours, flood water even flowed into the houses of residents.

The rain left many roads like Đỗ Đức Dục, Miếu Đam flooded by between 0.5-0.7 metres, forcing vehicles to drive at a snail’s pace. It also caused some vehicles to breakdown, forcing motorbike drivers to travel on pavements.

Võ Tiến Hùng, director of Hà Nội Sewage and Drainage Company, said heavy rain along with the ongoing construction of canals in Vĩnh Tuy, Thụy Khuê, Nghĩa Đô and Tây Sơn were to blame for the insufficient drainage, which led to floods.

About five heavily flooded spots were reported as of 9am yesterday, he said.

Hùng said the company mobilised more than 1,500 staff to low-lying areas to tackle the flooding.

Pumping stations would be operated at their highest capacity, while Cầu Đìa Water Sluice on the Đăm River and Cầu Sa Water Sluice on Cầu Ngà would be closed to prevent water from flowing into the Nhuệ River, he said.

Despite the Nhuệ River playing an important role in the city’s drainage system, the water level on the Nhuệ River was measured at 5.8m at Đồng Bông pumping station, nearly 2m above the normal level, Hùng said.

In the northern province of Hải Dương, due to heavy rain roads in Hải Dương city flooded. Flooding was measured at up to 0.5 metres in some areas, disrupting traffic for hours.

According to the standing office of northern Yên Bái province’s committee on disaster prevention and control, downpours left several parts of Yên Bái city flooded. A woman was reported to have drowned after falling into a pond. Heavy rain submerged 206 houses and caused damage to parts of roads in the province and destroyed 83 hectares of rice. Losses were estimated at VNĐ200 million (US$8,950).

According to National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, provinces in the northern mountainous region, central Highlands and southern regions yesterday continued to suffer medium to heavy rains and thunderstorms. Whirlwinds, hail and strong winds were also expected. Floods might occur on the Thao River and upstream Mã River with flood levels from 2-4 metres.  The flow on Đà River to Sơn La water reservoir and on Gâm River to Tuyên Quang Water reservoir would rise rapidly and reach its peak yesterday afternoon.

Flash floods may occur in high risk areas in northern provinces like Lai Châu, Điện Biên, Sơn La, Hòa Bình, Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang, Cao Bằng, Bắc Cạn and Thanh Hóa.

The centre forecast that heavy rain and thunder storms with strong winds would hit provinces in the northern, Central Highlands and southern and Spratly Archipelago until Friday. -- VNS