Following the impact of Typhoon No. 3 (Wipha), Hanoi has reported significant infrastructure damage, particularly to urban greenery and public lighting systems.

Several communes have also seen serious dike failures. The city is now directing departments and local authorities to swiftly restore conditions to ensure public safety and resume normal life and production.

Storm leaves widespread damage

According to Hanoi’s Command for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, the storm toppled or damaged 228 trees, including 118 uprooted and 110 broken branches. As of the morning of July 23, cleanup crews had cleared 39 fallen trees and 42 broken branches.

The storm also caused 407 incidents related to the city's public lighting system, including 46 fallen or leaning poles, 114 shattered or dropped lights, 17 severed power cables, 87 electrical shorts, and 143 other minor issues.

In addition to repairing lighting infrastructure, the Hanoi Department of Construction addressed 43 road-related problems, mainly minor disruptions such as dislodged directional signs, tilted or collapsed traffic signs, and fallen median barriers.

Emergency crews clear fallen trees caused by Typhoon No. 3 in Hanoi.

Significantly, heavy rains triggered cracks along dike sections. In Da Phuc commune, a 20-meter longitudinal crack appeared in the concrete surface of the Huu Cau dike (from K25+630 to K25+680), averaging 2 centimeters wide. The lower slope of the dike sank by about 30 centimeters over an 80-meter stretch. Local officials warned the situation could worsen.

In Phuc Loc commune, Chairman Le Van Thu confirmed the appearance of longitudinal cracks totaling 631 meters along the Huu Hong dike. These cracks measured between 0.1 to 5.0 centimeters wide and deep, with sunken segments reaching up to 8 centimeters. The dike's surface elevation is +17.5 meters. The condition appears to be developing further.

Swift response to natural disaster

By noon on July 23, most damage to trees and lighting had been addressed. For the two major dike cracks, authorities in Da Phuc and Phuc Loc had completed initial response efforts, including closing the affected areas to traffic and notifying residents of potential hazards.

Pham Quang Dong, Deputy Chief of Hanoi’s Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Office, emphasized that the capital is currently in the peak of the 2025 storm and flood season. With unpredictable weather and rising river levels, all agencies must remain alert and ready to respond.

He urged strict adherence to directives from central and municipal authorities, maintaining 24/7 emergency duty, monitoring weather conditions closely, and implementing the “four-on-the-spot” approach: on-site command, manpower, supplies, and logistics.

Hanoi’s disaster prevention command also called on wards and communes to step up inspections and patrols of dikes, dams, and reservoirs to detect and fix early-stage issues. Special attention should be given to riverside dikes, areas prone to erosion, culverts under dikes, and infrastructure with pending repairs or ongoing construction.

As of July 23, water levels on major rivers and inner-city streams in Hanoi remained below Alarm Level I. However, levels in key irrigation reservoirs were high. Four reservoirs - Ban Tien, Keo Ca, Quan Son, and Dong Suong - had exceeded spillway thresholds and were operating in free overflow mode.

PV