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Flooding in residential and farm areas reduced by nearly 20 cm compared to a day before, according to the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Chuong My district.

As of 5 pm on July 31, the water level on the Bui River at Yen Duyet station was at 7.34 m, 0.34 m higher than the 3rd alert level – the penultimate level in the four tiered river flood warning system in Vietnam.

Earlier, due to heavy rains accompanied by upstream flood waters, the Bui River water level rose to a peak of 7.51 m in Yen Duyet, as of 1 pm on July 30.

Preliminary statistics showed that nearly 1,400 ha of rice fields, 300 ha of vegetables, more than 600 ha of aquaculture, and nearly 200 ha of local fruit trees were damaged. Many houses have collapsed, while roads and canals also suffered from damage. Notably, more than 25 km of dykes were flooded and nearly 2,900 households were inundated under 0.5-2m of water.

 In response to the emergency situation, the Hanoi authorities provided 10,000 sandbags and mobilised more than 600 soldiers to join the local people to consolidate the Bui River dyke on Monday night. Critical points along the dyke were built up to an additional height of 0.8 m higher.

16 local pumping stations have operated at their maximum capacity to drain away flood water from local areas.

The Chuong My authorities has evacuated more than 4,000 people and their property to safe places, while providing 7,300 packets of instant noodles and nearly 10,000 barrels of drinking water, 20 tonnes of rice and dry wages, and nearly 1,200 gifts to people who are in need.

Relevant units and individuals have organised visits to give gifts and encourage local people in recent days. Chuong My Party Committee requested that all of the units concerned stop unnecessary meetings to focus on responding to the floods.

.Thanks to the drastic measures mentioned above, the local dyke system has been strengthened to withstand against the flood. Paddy fields and crops on the left bank of the Bui River dyke and right bank of Day River dyke have basically been drained from flood water. Locals in the flooded areas, especially those that have been isolated, have been promptly provided with essential food and drinking water.

Yesterday, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, Nguyen Duc Chung, asked the relevant municipal units to be on duty around the clock to tackle all possible incidents in Chuong My district.

 Although flood water has withdrawn, local forces still need to be alert in case of heavy rains, he said, urging to ensure the safety of local people and facilitate the recovery work after the water recedes while preventing disease outbreak.

 On late Tuesday afternoon, inner Hanoi suffered heavy rainstorms on a large scale, with rainfall ranging from 57-88mm, causing flooding in many areas. Heavy rains occurred during rush hour causing serious traffic congestions on several main routes.