On the afternoon of October 24, the Southern Hydrometeorological Station said that the high tide in Ho Chi Minh City will continue to remain high. The peak tide at Nha Be station (Dong Dien canal) is forecast to reach 1.78 m at 5:30 p.m., Phu An station (Saigon river) 1.77 m at 6 p.m. Because the northeast wind pushes water from the river mouth to the mainland, the actual water level may exceed the forecast threshold, remaining high for the next two days before decreasing rapidly.
On the same afternoon, in Binh Quoi ward (HCMC), many roads and residential areas along the river were flooded 20-40 cm deep. The rapid rise of the water makes it difficult for people to travel, especially during rush hour. On Thanh Da Street, many sections were flooded with almost half a wheel, people had to wade through water or push their vehicles through deeply flooded sections. Some businesses along this route had to temporarily close early because water overflowed into the porch.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hiep (residing in Thanh Da area) said that high tides caused river water to overflow the banks, seeping into small alleys. "From noon, the water started to recede, and by the afternoon, the whole yard was flooded. My family had to raise our furniture and take sandbags to block the door, but just be careful before the water reaches the living room immediately," said Mr. Hiep.
Many people have to use brooms, buckets or pumps to pump water out of their homes. Some households have temporarily erected fences made of corrugated iron and wood to prevent water from flooding into their houses. Children were carried by their parents to dry places because the road surface was slippery and many sections of the house were flooded.
Ms. Tran Thi Hong, a grocery trader near the riverbank, shared: "Every time the tide is high, the whole village is miserable. In the past few days, the water has risen, so I have to worry about both selling and watching the water, sometimes customers have to wait outside because the water is up to the door".
The Southern Hydrometeorological Station warns of a level 2 natural disaster risk and at the same time recommends that people be on guard against flooding if heavy rain coincides with the peak tide, especially in low-lying areas and riverside areas of Ho Chi Minh City. The local government has also sent civil defense forces to support the placement of warning signs and instruct people to move safely through deeply flooded areas.
