Residents of Vietnam's business hub Ho Chi Minh City struggled to commute on flooded streets as the tide surpassed last year's peak to reach an all-time high of around 1.7 meters on Friday afternoon.

The southern hydro-meteorological center even forcast the tide to increase further in the next few days.

Flood tide inundated many roads along the city’s rivers and canals, such as Tran Xuan Soan and Nguyen Thi Thap in District 7, Ton That Thuyet and Nguyen Tat Thanh in District 4, Luong Dinh Cua, Nguyen Van Huong, and Quoc Huong Street and Thu Thiem Park in Thu Duc City, causing many inconveniences for local residents and commuters.

Residents of Tran Xuan Soan Street were busy preventing rising water from pouring into their houses and establishments since 3:00 pm on Friday.

Vehicles wade in high tide on Nguyen Thi Thap Street in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, November 5, 2021. Photo: Nhat Thinh / Tuoi Tre

“Rising water kept overflowing from the [Dong Dien] canal into the road,” said Hoang Thi Thuy Linh, a local resident. 

“When large vehicles passed through, they splashed water on pedestrians and many households. 

“After the water recedes, the road surface is soaked with water and slippery when large vehicles run through, creating potholes that can cause pedestrians to slip and fall. 

“We’ve been living here for decades and so fed up with every high tide.”

Rising water overflows the Dong Dien Canal in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, November 5, 2021. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

The water levels at many stations downstream the city’s river system are forecast to continue rising fast before peaking on Saturday and Sunday.

The tidal peaks measured at Phu An Station on the Saigon River and Nha Be Station on the Dong Dien Canal can hit up to 1.7 meters high from 4:00 am to 6:00 am and from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on those days.

The active northeast wind, also known as crosswind, can cause the tide to exceed the forecast level and make the inundation more severe by pushing water from estuaries inland.

A man pushes his broken-down motorbike on a flooded street in Ho Chi Minh City, November 5, 2021. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

A couple ride a motorbike on a flooded street in Ho Chi Minh City, November 5, 2021. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Commuters travel on a flooded street in Ho Chi Minh City, November 5, 2021. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

A man helps a woman push her broken-down motorbike on flooded Nguyen Thi Thap Street in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, November 5, 2021. Photo: Nhat Thinh / Tuoi Tre

Commuters travel on a flooded street in Ho Chi Minh City, November 5, 2021. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Tran Xuan Soan Street turns into a river due to high tide in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, November 5, 2021. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!