On the morning of July 25, Hanoi Drainage Company said thunderstorms and widespread rain had hit Hanoi City from 4.30 am.
Rainfall recorded by 6.30 am was relatively high in several areas, including Hoan Kiem Ward with 85mm, Xuan Dinh Ward 83mm, Ba Dinh Ward 79.9mm, Cau Giay Ward 74mm, Hai Ba Trung Ward 115.4mm, Tay Ho Ward 97mm, Van Mieu Ward 97.9mm, Phu Thuong Ward 98.5mm, Phu Xuyen Commune 98.5mm and Vinh Thanh Commune 127.4mm.
Standing water on Vo Chi Cong Street (Photo: Anh Bao).
According to Hanoi Drainage Company, areas under its management that saw standing water during the morning downpour included Nguyen Gia Bong, the five-way junction of Ba Trieu, Nguyen Du and Ho Xuan Huong streets, Phu Xa Street, Vinh Hung Street, Dinh Tien Hoang Street near the fountain, Vo Chi Cong Street near the UDIC area, Vo Chi Cong Street near alley 679-685 Lac Long Quan, Phung Hung Street, the Phan Boi Chau-Ly Thuong Kiet junction, Thai Ha Street near alley 165 and Nguyen Dinh Tu Street.
By 7.30 am, standing water had receded at several locations and traffic had returned to normal.
Standing water on Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem Ward (Photo: Anh Bao).
Earlier, at a question-and-answer session of the Hanoi People's Council on July 15, in relation to the July 9 rainstorm, the director of the Hanoi Department of Construction said it had not been a particularly heavy downpour. The highest rainfall recorded was about 80mm in some areas, but water still pooled on Quang Trung Street and several other roads.
"We do not call that flooding. Under our definition, water must be at least 30cm deep and remain for more than 30 minutes to be considered flooding. On Quang Trung Street on the afternoon of July 9, the water level was only just over 20cm, so it was classified as standing water," Thuong said.
To tackle flooding, Hanoi has recently issued and implemented a series of urgent anti-flooding projects. These projects have reportedly been largely completed and are ready to support the city's flood prevention efforts.