Da Nang was the latest metropolis in Vietnam to fall victim to extreme weather conditions.
According to local media, an extended period of rain that started at around 3am last Sunday, December 9 overwhelmed Da Nang’s drainage system, leading to widespread flooding in the entire city. The rain continued well into the afternoon and evening in some neighborhoods, wreaking havoc on local life and traffic.
Experts from the National Center of Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting confirmed that Da Nang’s dreary weather was due to an enhanced cold front that affected central provinces from Khanh Hoa to Da Nang. At some locations in the city, rainfall reached 300-400 millimeters from 3am to 7am. The Le Do-Dien Bien Phu-Nguyen Thi Phuong underpass was closed by local authorities as the water level reached one meter in the area.
To ensure the safety of local students, on the afternoon of December 9, the Da Nang Department of Education and Training decided to shut down all public schools and universities in town today, December 10.
These dire weather patterns are getting more common in recent years. Just a few weeks ago, Typhoon Usagi also swept past southern Vietnam with Saigon among the hardest hit. The result was more than 24 hours of rain and historic level of water in the city.
In true Vietnam traditions, some younger Da Nang residents didn’t take the severe flooding to be something to dread, but an occasion to revel. Videos have surfaced online of locals fishing on flooded streets, and a particular group of young adults also brought out their kayaks for an impromptu race.
The intersection of Ham Nghi and Le Dinh Ly streets in Da Nang was a dead zone for conventional vehicles due to the water, but the depth proved perfect for the adrenaline junkies to have some fun.
Have a look at Da Nang’s spontaneous kayak race below:
[Photos by Tan Luc via Tuoi Tre]
