Many streets and houses have been submerged in water after torrential downpours swept across Da Nang on Wednesday, and a further rise in rain accumulations is forecast for the city for the rest of the week and predictions for the following week.

A flooded section of Phan Dang Luu Street pictured on Wednesday noon

The total rainfall accumulation measured between 11am to 12:30pm on Wednesday in Thanh Khe District-based Phan Lang canal was 49.4mm, Hoa Khe reservoir 68.4mm, the Tuy Loan pumping station 106.2mm.

Many sections of such many downtown streets as Thang Long, Truong Chi Cuong, Nguyen Xuan Nhi, Nui Thanh, Phan Dang Luu, Le Thanh Nghi, Nguyen Van Linh, Ham Nghi and Le Duan were heavily engulfed in floodwater.

A rainwater pumping station along the Truong Chi Cuong -Nguyen Xuan Nhi route being operated at its full capacity

The flooded streets have caused motorcycle breakdowns and travel disruption, driving traffic congestions during rush hours more severe. Some road users pushing their vehicles through inundated streets whilst others rushed onto pavements, trying to escape the traffic chaos sparked by flooding.

The intersection of Nguyen Van Linh and Le Dinh Ly being heavily submerged in water on Wednesday

Besides, 2 houses had their roofs blown off by strong winds in Ngu Hanh Son District and some locations in suburban Hoa Vang District were partially inundated on Wednesday afternoon.

A house in Hoa Quy Commune, Ngu Hanh Son District had its roofs blown off by the strong wind on Wednesday afternoon.

Still worse, on early Thursday, some roads in Hoa Vang District’s Hoa Tien Commune turned themselves into rivers in light of the water level of the Vu Gia River rose to flood alert level 3 as a result of prolonged torrential rain.

Into Sunday, moderate to heavy downpours, accompanied by thunderstorms, are highly likely to pour down onto mid-central regional localities stretching from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai, the Mid-Central Region Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting has warned.

Many rivers in the central provinces from Thua Thien Hue to Quang Nam are predicted to brace for the threat of flood levels 1-2.

Barricades built to prevent the entry to the flooded construction site of the Quang Bridge in Hoa Vang District

Regional weather forecasters say most parts of Da Nang will get soaked with showers and thunderstorms over the next 10 days with its thermometers dipping between 25 to 30 degrees Celsius.

In particular, warnings on landslides and flash floods have been issued for some vulnerable mountainous areas in these wet weather-raged districts of Hoa Vang and Lien Chieu. Meanwhile, flooding is also likely to batter some vulnerable lowland areas there.

Some roads in Hoa Vang District’s Hoa Tien Commune turned themselves into rivers on early Thursday,

Due to the strong influence of the newly-formed depression that hit the coastal provinces of Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa on Wednesday, the southern and central parts of the East Sea, including the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, are bracing for strong winds levels, high sea waves and rough seas.

In order to proactively respond to this incident, the Da Nang Border Guard High Command and the Coastal Information Station is responsible for keeping all fishing boats operating at sea well informed of the tropical depression’ tracks, hereby allow them to take the initiative to avoid dangerous areas or seek safe shelters.

This afternoon, all pupils from primary to high schools citywide will be permitted to be off school following the fresh approval of the municipal Department of Education and Training.

By HOANG HIEP- Translated by A.T