Saigon residents battle the rainy season once more
In literature and movies, some of the most romantic scenes often take place in the rain. Onscreen, nothing makes our hearts beat faster than watching lovers share a kiss as raindrops start to fall. Rain can be lovely, there’s no doubt – until it prompts widespread flash floods and throws a literal wet blanket on your picnic plans.
That’s what usually happens during Saigon’s monsoon season. For the past couple of days, Saigon residents have woken up to flash floods – the result of countless hours of rain from the previous evening. The rain is expected to last for the next few months, so brace yourselves for a sneak preview of what’s to come.
Knee-high floods spotted in streets after the heavy downpour
Nguyễn Văn Khối Street
Image adapted from: Tuổi Trẻ
Over at Tô Ngọc Vân Street, parts of the floods reportedly reached knee-high levels. More severe flooding was spotted along Nguyễn Văn Khối Street in the early morning, where many bikers faced trouble after water flooded their motorbikes’ engines.
Image adapted from: Tuổi Trẻ
The situation forced many commuters to wait on pavements for floods to abate, or push their motorbikes through the tides.
Image adapted from: Tuổi Trẻ
Heavy downpours, coupled with thunderstorms and huge winds, have fallen over the city and in other southern provinces the entire week. The monsoon is expected to persist in the next couple of days.
Saigon authorities in a hurry to carry out anti-flooding projects
Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh Street
Image credit: Tuổi Trẻ
Across the city, numerous anti-flooding projects are underway to mitigate flooding. The roads between Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh Street and Điện Biên Phủ Street are being laid with bricks, while some lanes are temporarily covered with plastic sheets.
Other projects include a culvert in District 7, sluice gates, and embankments in Nhà Bè and Bình Chánh District.
A tide-control gate in District 4
Image credit: Tuổi Trẻ
In Bến Nghé, Tân Thuận, Phú Xuân, Mương Chuối, and Phú Định areas, tide-control gates and valves of the sewage systems are also being constructed.
Saigon enters our monsoon season
People who prefer to stay indoors may find joy in curling up in their cozy blankets and Netflixing on the rainy days to come. However, as the rainy season has officially arrived in Saigon, we must be prepared for challenges ahead, like sudden downpours and flash floods. For many of us, motorbikes are our main form of transportation, and riding in bad weather can be challenging.
Before you hit the roads, remember to carry raincoats, save the numbers of local mechanics, and check the UDI MAPS app for flood-prone areas. Most importantly, stay safe as we wait for the storms to abate.
Also check out:
- UDI MAPS weather app lets you check weather conditions & flood-prone areas in Saigon
- 7 mobile mechanics & vehicle repair services in Saigon you should know
- Vietnamese student unclogs street drainage in the rain
- 12 traffic rules to know before you hit the road in Vietnam
Cover image adapted from: Tuổi Trẻ
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