On the afternoon of August 27, 2026, a sudden storm accompanied by heavy rain hit Hanoi, leading to severe flooding across numerous streets and neighborhoods. In An Khánh, residents had to bring out boats to transport the elderly and children through flooded areas that were impassable by cars and motorbikes.

By 4:30 PM, after about 30 minutes of rain, many streets, including Phạm Văn Bạch, were reported to be submerged up to 0.4 meters. The timing of the downpour coincided with rush hour, making commuting extremely difficult as vehicles struggled to navigate through waterlogged roads.

Some buildings along the roads erected barriers and filled sandbags to prevent water from entering their basements. Fortunately, the drainage system on Phạm Văn Bạch was functioning effectively, allowing water levels to recede relatively quickly after the rain stopped.

In the Geleximco urban area, heavy rainfall continued, causing significant flooding on roads such as Hoàng Tùng, Nam An Khánh, and Thiên Phúc, with water levels reaching 0.5 to 0.6 meters. Traffic was nearly paralyzed as residents waded through the water on their way home from work.

One resident, Nguyễn Văn Hoàng, shared his experience of being caught in the rain without an umbrella, stating, "I had no idea it would rain today, and I ended up using a tarp from a construction site to shield myself on the way home." Another local, Nguyễn Văn Hải, utilized a boat from the restaurant where he works to help transport people across the flooded areas, highlighting the frequent need for such assistance during heavy rains.

Some households had to pump water out and build barriers to prevent flooding in their basements. The heavy rain also caused areas like Nguyễn Gia Bồng Street to flood, particularly in front of Ngọc Thụy Park, where many vehicles stalled due to the deep water.

The rain persisted for over two hours during peak traffic hours, leading to severe flooding at the intersection of Đào Tấn and Liễu Giai, complicating transportation further. Many residents had to roll up their pants and walk through the flooded streets to continue their journeys home.

At times, the road in front of Lotte Shopping Center was submerged up to 0.5 meters, causing vehicles to move slowly and navigate carefully through the flooded areas. Although the Aeon Long Biên area did not experience flooding, the heavy rain caused significant traffic congestion, especially at the Vĩnh Tuy Bridge access points, which were already narrowed due to ongoing flood prevention construction.

The An Khánh intersection also faced severe traffic jams due to deep water, making it challenging for vehicles to pass through.