The nearly 100 m long, 20-40 cm deep flooded stretch stalled many vehicles, forcing drivers to push them. Some motorcyclists, finding the underpass submerged, turned back and took the upper road, causing traffic congestion. By 4 p.m., the water had not fully receded.
"This is not the first time; flooding has occurred frequently in this underpass section whenever there is heavy rain," said Nguyen Tra, 38, who lives in an apartment building near the area.
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A ride-hailing driver pushes his stalled vehicle in the underpass, afternoon of 15/9. Photo: Giang Anh |
The underpass, 670 m long and 8 m wide, is on the right side of National Highway 1, heading from Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Nai. It is a main component of the overpass project in front of the new Mien Dong bus station, with a total investment exceeding 437 billion VND. Opened in 2023 for motorcycles and small oto, it aims to separate traffic flowing directly on National Highway 1 from vehicles entering and exiting the new Mien Dong bus station. However, this underpass has flooded multiple times after heavy rain.
A representative from the Ho Chi Minh City Management Board of Investment and Construction of Traffic Projects (the investor) stated they are aware of the situation, are implementing solutions, and are simultaneously identifying the root causes. In previous floods, the investor noted that the main causes were malfunctioning pumps or electrical systems, which prevented timely water pumping during heavy rain. Additionally, drainage culverts near the underpass were blocked by trash, causing water to overflow into the tunnel but drain slowly.
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Water floods nearly 100 m of the underpass, afternoon of 15/9. Photo: Giang Anh |
Beyond this structure, the underpass at the An Phu interchange project recently flooded 0,8-1 m during a heavy rainstorm on the evening of 10/9. Authorities had to close the underpass for nearly one day, causing widespread traffic congestion at Ho Chi Minh City's eastern gateway. The cause was identified as an incomplete main pumping station, while the temporary pumping system was overwhelmed by the year's heaviest rainfall.
Giang Anh
