High tides combined with heavy rains in recent days have caused many areas in Ho Chi Minh City to be deeply flooded, affecting people's lives and transportation. In the face of unpredictable developments of storm Kalmaegi combined with high tides, Ho Chi Minh City has activated emergency response plans, especially focusing on key areas when water levels are forecast to rise.
According to Lao Dong reporters in the Thanh Da and Binh Quoi peninsular areas (HCMC) - where flooding was recorded from 0.5 m to more than 1 m deep during the previous high tide, since the morning of November 5, local military forces have mobilized human resources and materials to reinforce the surrounding embankments around canals and residential areas at high risk of flooding.
Mr. Tran Duc Nam (residing in Binh Quoi ward) said: "In the past few days, hearing that the high tide could reach a record high, everyone is worried. My house is near the canal bank, so I have to build sandbags and move my belongings up high to avoid water from flooding into the house. Last year, the water reached almost the knee, the damage was quite good.
Along with strengthening on-site forces, Ho Chi Minh City has prepared to operate 388 tide-prevention valves and 17 mobile pumping stations, ready to operate when heavy rain combined with high tides.
Not only in the riverside areas, many inner-city roads such as Huynh Tan Phat (formerly District 7), Phu Dinh (formerly District 8) are also heavily flooded. People had to push their vehicles through deep water sections, many vehicles stalled in the middle of the road.
Ms. Le Thi Nam (doing business on Huynh Tan Phat Street) shared: "Every time the tide rises, water floods into the house. In the past few days, the whole family has had to raise tables and chairs and move furniture up the attic. The government has supported sandbags and water pumping, but I hope there will soon be more solid embankments to reduce suffering during the flood season".
Functional forces are on duty at vulnerable points to guide traffic, and at the same time coordinate with drainage units to urgently pump out water, ensuring safety for people moving during rush hour.
According to the Southern Hydrometeorological Station, the water level at most stations on the Saigon River is forecast to continue to rise following the high tide of the 15th day of the 9th lunar month in the next 2-3 days. The peak tide of this period is likely to be close to or higher than the early 9th lunar month, with the highest expected to appear on November 6-7.
After reaching the peak, the water level at the stations will decrease rapidly, but will remain above alert level I until the end of November 10.
This is considered the highest high tide of the year, people need to be vigilant against the risk of heavy rain combined with high tides, which can cause flooding in low-lying areas, along rivers, affecting traffic and socio-economic activities in Ho Chi Minh City.
