[UPDATED] Massive Storm Predicted to Hit Saigon Later Today

[Update Below] Don’t let the sunny skies fool you. A massive storm is predicted to arrive in Saigon later today with heavy, torrential rains.

According to the latest report of the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecast, the storm will make landfall on Vietnam’s south central coast a 1pm and continue towards Saigon.

Bui Minh Tang, Director of the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecast said that due to its size, the storm will be felt from Da Nang to the Mekong Delta.

The National Steering Committee for Storm and Flood Prevention and Control in an online conference yesterday told officials from coastal provinces from Da Nang to Ca Mau and Kien Giang and Central Highlands Lam Dong Province to prepare for the storm.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said that many localities that aren’t used to such weather should take special precautions and raise awareness among residents.

Areas that may be hit particularly hard by the storm were instructed to carry out evacuations and strengthen their houses.

According to Tuoi Tre, numerous schools across HCMC have closed in anticipation of the storm.

Since Vietnam began tracking storms, 1964 holds the record for storms and tropical depressions with 16. Le Thanh Hai, deputy director of the National Center for Hydro-meteorology Forecast said that record may be broken this year.

Try to get home before this one hits, it will be a much better experience to hear the rain pitter pattering on your roof than on your rain coat…

[Vietnam Net] 

Update 7/11:

Saigon may have avoided the bulk of the storm but last night’s heavy rains wreaked havoc on morning commutes. “I had to swim to work,” one resident complained.

Hoa Binh and Lac Long Quan streets in district 11 near Tan Hoa – Lo Gom environmental project were inundated with flood waters causing many vehicles to break down.

Tan Hoa, Kinh Duong Vuong, Tan Hoa Dong, and An Duong Vuong streets in District 6 and Binh Tan district, and Chu Van An, Dinh Bo Linh, and Bui Dinh Tuy in Binh Thanh. In District 7’s Tan Thuan Dong ward, were hit particularly hard by the flooding.

Those who drove through the flooded streets of Thu Duc said it was the worst flooding the District had encountered all year.

At the Cay Go roundabout to Phu Lam roundabout on District 6’s Kinh Duong Vuong Street, gridlock ensued, causing traffic delays of up to 2 hours.

[Tuoi Tre]