Red River floods exceed alert level 2, severely disrupt life in Hanoi

Flood levels on the Red River in Hanoi have surpassed alert level 2, triggering a level 2 natural disaster risk alert, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) reported early September 11. 

Water rising on the Red River, Hanoi. Photo: VNA

The Red River in Hanoi reached 10.54 meters at midnight, 0.04 meters above the warning level 2. According to the center's forecast, the water level will continue to rise throughout the day.

By 1:00 a.m. on September 11, the river had risen to 10.6 m, exceeding the second warning level by 0.1 m. By 7:00 a.m., it had risen further to 10.7 m, 0.20 m above the warning level. Forecasts indicate that the water level will reach 10.75 m by 13:00 hrs and remain at this level through the evening. This is the highest level the Red River has seen in decades.

Experts warn that the rising floodwaters could cause widespread flooding and landslides along the riverbanks. The safety of dikes in several districts, including Bac Tu Liem, Hai Ba Trung, Dan Phuong, Phuc Tho, Son Tay, Thanh Tri, Gia Lam, Long Bien, Tay Ho, Hoan Kiem and Dong Anh, may be compromised.

Elevated water levels have posed a serious threat to the daily lives and property of residents in affected districts such as Dan Phuong, Phuc Tho, Son Tay, Thanh Tri, GIa Lam, Long Vien, Tay Ho, Hoan Kiem, and Dong Anh. 

On the afternoon of September 10, Nguyen Thi Tuyen, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, conducted an emergency inspection after learning that water levels in several rivers in the capital were already at critical levels. 

Nguyen Thi Tuyen, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee (center), discusses emergency recovery measures after Typhoon Yagi hit the capital. Photo: Quang Thai/The Hanoi Times

Specifically, rivers such as the Tich, Bui, Cau and Day had exceeded the flood alert level 3, while the Nhue and Ca Lo rivers were already at alert level 2. In addition, the Tuyen Quang Hydropower Plant was releasing water through seven sluice gates, Thac Ba through three, and Hoa Binh through two, contributing to the threat of flooding in Hanoi.

Thirty five households and a total of 55 people were evacuated to safety from the Long Bien market area by Ba Dinh District on the evening of September 9. While keeping a close eye on the river's flood levels, local officials are preparing in case more evacuations become necessary.

"No loss of life would be allowed, and residents must be evacuated if necessary, with the support of the authorities to protect their property," Nguyen Thi Tuyen emphasized.

She added that the Hanoi Party Committee is closely monitoring the flood situation following Typhoon Yagi. "All departments and sub-municipal authorities must remain vigilant and prepare for flooding by implementing the 'four on the spot' approach and ensuring that communities are informed about flood risks, especially those living near rivers and dikes," she said.

Tuyen urged the city's Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and other relevant agencies to ensure sufficient supplies of food and essential goods for residents in areas at risk of being cut off by floodwaters.

The NCHMF predicted that Hanoi and neighboring areas could experience moderate to heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours, with cumulative totals ranging from 50-80 mm and exceeding 100 mm in some areas.

Heavy rainfall combined with rising river levels posed significant risks, including landslides and prolonged flooding in low-lying areas and sandbars along the Red River. Floodwaters of half a meter to one meter were expected.

The most vulnerable areas were along the Red River, including Phuc Xa (Ba Dinh), Ngoc Lam Ferry Terminal, both sides of Long Bien Bridge, Nhat Tan Bridge, Thang Long Bridge, the area behind Long Bien Market, and Chem Temple in Bac Tu Liem District.

Floodwater from the Red River overflows onto Chuong Duong Do Street in Chuong Duong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Photo: VNA

The Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued warnings for Ba Dinh, Bac Tu Liem, Dong Anh, Gia Lam, Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hoang Mai, Long Bien, Tay Ho and Thanh Tri districts. Some of these are central, densely populated districts with important commercial buildings and government offices.

The NCHMF warned that water levels in the Red River could continue to rise, posing a significant flood risk to riverine and low-lying areas and endangering lives and property. It noted that water levels in the river had not been this high since 2008, which may have caught residents off guard.

Pham Tuan Long, chairman of the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, ordered the evacuation of families in flood-prone areas on the morning of September 11. He also called for inspections of certain public spaces to prepare them as potential shelters for displaced residents. About 130 families, totaling about 500 people, in Chuong Duong and Phuc Tan districts are expected to be evacuated.

The Hanoi Department of Transportation has restricted access to the Chuong Duong Bridge over the Red River as of 8:30 a.m. on September 10. Buses, rental cars, tourist buses with more than nine seats, and trucks weighing more than 0.5 tons are now banned from the bridge. All vehicles and pedestrians were banned from using Hanoi's iconic Long Bien Bridge as of 15:00 on September 10.

Typhoon Yagi has caused heavy rains in Hanoi from September 7. Water from the upper reaches of the Red River flowed downstream, causing water levels to rise. Hanoi has reported four deaths, 23 injuries, and approximately 40,000 downed trees as a result of the storm.