A torrential rain that lasted over one hour on Wednesday afternoon deluged the Thu Duc Market area in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City. 

As the sewage system failed during the downpour, the streets around Thu Duc Market became inundated 15 minutes into the rain. 

Vortexes and strong fluxes also formed, forcing many commuters off their motorbikes. 

Some nearby residents had to aid commuters in pulling fallen bikes up from the flooded streets.  

Inundation during high tides and the rainy season has remained a pressing issue for Thu Duc over the past years.

Earlier, authorities in erstwhile Thu Duc District, which was merged with District 2 and District 9 to form current Thu Duc City, attempted to renovate the sewage system on Vo Van Ngan Street, an inundation flashpoint near Thu Duc Market, in a project launched on October 8, 2020. 

By design, all current sewage pipes will be superseded by barrels of various size, stretching about 2.5 kilometers from Hanoi Highway to Rach Ngang Bridge and requiring a budget of VND129.4 billion (US$5.6 million).

The project is anticipated to be completed in 17 months and will tackle drainage problems for an area of 90 hectares in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Ho Chi Minh City’s rainy season usually starts in May and ends in November, bringing along short, heavy downpours. 

Traffic congestion is caused by heavy inundation in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 19, 2021. Photo: Ngoc Ha / Tuoi Tre

Cars pull over to the side of the road to avoid congestion in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 19, 2021. Photo: Ngoc Ha / Tuoi Tre

Traffic police officers help unclog a drain in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 19, 2021. Photo: Ngoc Ha / Tuoi Tre

To Ngoc Van Street in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is inundated, May 19, 2021. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Commuters navigate a flooded street in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 19, 2021. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Local residents help a commuter lift his fallen motorbike amidst a flooded street in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 19, 2021. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

A resident in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam scoops floodwaters out of his house. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre