Torrential downpours since early September inundated a residential area in HCMC’s outlying district of Hoc Mon for over two weeks, forcing residents to seek temporary shelter.

For the past two weeks, Xuan Thoi Dong Commune has remained under about 50 cm to a meter of water following heavy rains since early this month. 

Southern Vietnam, including HCMC, is experiencing its annual rainy season, which normally lasts from late April to November. 

 
Le Thi Thuy, 48, said her house was most flooded in the area, with the water reaching the hip of an adult several days ago.

"Since the beginning of the month, it rained continuously and the water could not recede quickly, isolating nearly the entire area," Thuy said, wading through the water.

She and her two children have taken shelter in the home of an acquaintance for the past two weeks, Thuy said.

 
After nearly 10 days soaked in water, tables, chairs, and a wooden cupboard struggle with the onset of damp.

Next to Thuy's house, Sinh's home, yard, and barn experienced flooding.

"Now the stagnating water near the barn is starting to smell. Bags of cow feed are in danger of rotting," Sinh said.

Dogs are chained to keep them from coming to harm.

Nguyen Minh Day, 30, carries a bottle of clean water home for cooking.

"My well was too shallow, and got contaminated by floodwater. Now, water from the well is only used for bathing and washing," said Day.

Tran Thi Gai's yard resembles a stagnant pond.

"My house was raised more than half a meter above the yard, but the water still poured in on rainy days," the 55-year-old said.

Facing a similar plight, Le Van Chieu's yard remains nearly one meter under water.

For the past several days, Giang Thi Phuc, 42, has continuously pumped water out of her house. She said her family had to stay up all night because there was no place to sleep.

"I placed bricks in front of my house to prevent water from spilling in. If heavy rains continue in the coming weeks, this solution will not work," she maintained.

A flooded parking lot.

Some families in the area have taken temporary shelter with relatives.

Local authorities said the residential area was flooded due to construction of a drainage system on Tran Van Muoi Street and other neighboring areas.

In recent days, communal officials and the investor visited the area to clear canals so water could recede.

According to the Hydro-meteorological Observatory for the Southern Region, due to the influence of Storm Noul, which made landfall in central Vietnam Friday morning, and the southwest monsoon, HCMC and southern provinces should expect heavy rains until Saturday.