The storm has weakened into a tropical depression, but upon hitting Ho Chi Minh City with strong winds and heavy rain, it caused many houses to collapse, uprooted numerous old trees, and forced the Cát Lái ferry terminal to suspend operations…
For the first time in many years, the people of Saigon witnessed a storm with continuous rain and thunder throughout the day. The strongest winds were recorded on the evening of April 1st, causing dozens of old trees to be uprooted. Fortunately, although there were no casualties, the storm made it difficult for residents to travel, and many areas experienced power outages.
Around 5 PM, a 0.6-meter diameter silk cotton tree in front of a shoe store on Nguyễn Trãi Street (District 5) was uprooted and fell across the road. Following this incident, many other streets in downtown areas such as Trần Hưng Đạo, Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Cống Quỳnh, Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Võ Thị Sáu, Phạm Hồng Thái, and Trương Định also reported similar cases of fallen trees.
Two taxis crushed by a fallen tree at Hoàng Văn Thụ Park. (Photo: An Nhơn)
On Hai Bà Trưng Street (District 1), a lim tree fell onto a Vinasun taxi, but fortunately, no one was injured. On Trần Hưng Đạo Street, several oil trees with diameters over a meter were uprooted, blocking the road and damaging power lines. By nearly 10 PM, the firefighting police of Ho Chi Minh City had cut down the fallen trees to clear the traffic.
At the same time, on Trường Sơn Street, near Hoàng Văn Thụ Park (Tân Bình), a number of large trees were uprooted, falling onto two seven-seater taxis and a motorcycle. While no injuries were reported, both taxis sustained minor damages. The fallen trees across the road forced traffic police at Tân Sơn Nhất to struggle with directing traffic in the rain.
On Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa Street, under Bình Triệu Bridge, and Saigon Bridge towards District 2… many billboards and construction barriers were blown away by the strong winds, littering the area. On Võ Văn Ngân Street (Thủ Đức), a scaffolding structure several meters high collapsed.
Employees of the Ho Chi Minh City Green Park Company were dispatched to quickly cut down trees and clear the area. The firefighting police were also deployed to assist during the incidents.
Meanwhile, starting from 2 PM, strong winds and thunderstorms forced the Cát Lái ferry terminal, connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Đồng Nai, to cease operations. Residents who wanted to cross had to take a detour via National Route 51, making their journey back to Đồng Nai and vice versa about 100 km longer. As a result, many people waited for the weather to improve in hopes of crossing the ferry.
By 6 PM, the rain and wind intensified. The ferry terminal remained inactive, leaving hundreds of people stranded. Local authorities from District 2 (Ho Chi Minh City) were present to coordinate the arrangement of temporary accommodations for residents at Mỹ Thủy Primary School (Cát Lái Ward, District 2) while they awaited ferry service. Residents were also provided with instant noodles and drinking water to alleviate hunger. Similarly, local authorities in Nhơn Trạch (Đồng Nai) offered assistance.
In Cần Giờ, by the afternoon of the same day, over 2,000 residents from the coastal communes and towns of Thạnh An, Long Hòa, and Cần Thạnh were evacuated to the Labor Federation headquarters and cultural centers for safe shelter from the storm. Initial statistics reported that in Cần Giờ, four houses collapsed, 16 houses lost their roofs, 11 boats sank, one was adrift, 19 trees were uprooted, and one electric pole broke.
Cần Giờ residents being evacuated to storm shelters. (Photo: An Nhơn)
By 11 PM that night, the rain and thunder in Ho Chi Minh City had subsided. As of now, damage assessments due to the storm’s impact are still pending.
Mr. Nguyễn Minh Giám, Deputy Director of the Southern Hydro-Meteorological Center, reported that the tropical depression entered Ho Chi Minh City around 3-4 PM that day, with wind speeds of 5-6 on the Beaufort scale and rainfall estimated at 50 mm. After passing through Ho Chi Minh City, Đồng Nai, Bình Dương, and Bình Phước, the tropical depression is expected to move into Cambodia.
