Red River floods exceed warning level 2, disaster risk elevated in Hanoi

Flood levels on the Red River in Hanoi have surpassed warning level 2, triggering a level 2 natural disaster risk alert.

The water levels have been rising rapidly, with the Red River in Hanoi reaching 10.54 meters at midnight, 0.04 m above warning level 2, according to a bulletin issued by the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting on early Wednesday

The center has forecast that the water level will continue to climb throughout the day.

Hanoi authorities stated that the Red River water level has hit the record high level since 2008.

Pham Tuan Long, chairman of Hoan Kiem district People's Committee, has requested to relocate all households within the warning level 1 area (about 130 households with nearly 500 people).

These people would be temporarily moved to The One apartment building. Preprations for other places to shelter people from floods were taking place, he said.

By 1 a.m. on Wednesday, the river had risen to 10.6 m, exceeding the second warning level by 0.1 m. By 7 a.m., it had further increased to 10.7 m, 0.20 m above the warning threshold. Projections suggest the water level will reach 10.75 m by 1 p.m., and remain at this height into the evening.

Experts are warning of the potential dangers posed by these rising floodwaters, which could lead to widespread flooding and landslides along riverbanks. The safety of dykes 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 compromized. Authorities have classified the flood risk as level 2 on the natural disaster scale.

The elevated water levels have already led to significant flooding in low-lying areas, agricultural lands, fish farming zones, and residential areas. This poses a serious threat to daily life and the livelihoods of local residents, as well as to property in affected districts such as Dan Phuong, Phuc Tho, Son Tay, Thanh Tri, GIa Lam, Long Vien, Tay Ho, Hoan Kiem, and Dong Anh.