Heavy rain and flooding have caused significant disruption in northern Vietnam, submerging homes and impacting daily life and the local economy. According to state media and local authorities, widespread flooding occurred on Thursday, affecting multiple regions and causing travel disruptions. River levels have risen to dangerous levels, with some areas receiving more than 50 centimeters (19.7 inches) of rain this week. Over 2,000 homes have been submerged, key transportation routes blocked, and more than 1,000 households isolated. Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces, located south of the capital Hanoi, have been among the hardest hit. Vietnam is particularly vulnerable to climate-related disasters, and last year's series of severe storms has prompted the country to explore new strategies for flood preparedness and management. In Thanh Hoa province, authorities have advised students to stay home due to unsafe travel conditions caused by the flooding. Heavy rains have damaged or submerged about 10,014 hectares (24,745 acres) of rice and other crops, with the greatest losses reported in Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An provinces. Thousands of livestock and poultry have also been affected. Tran Ngoc Tai, a resident of Ninh Binh, told national broadcaster VTV that floods occur annually, and people typically prepare with extra food and water. In Hanoi, many streets were deeply flooded on Thursday morning, with water reaching nearly a meter (3.2 feet) in some areas. This made commuting difficult and disrupted daily routines, including taking children to school or leaving the home. Rainfall from Wednesday night to Thursday morning exceeded 15 centimeters (5.9 inches) in some areas. As a result, many high schools and universities in Hanoi remained closed or switched to online classes. The rising waters of the Bui River in the southwest outskirts of Hanoi threatened to flood homes, leading authorities to deploy hundreds of soldiers to assist residents in moving belongings to higher ground. A cold air mass moving south is expected to bring five days of heavy rain to southern Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, starting Sept. 17. Forecasters predict widespread rain through Sept. 21, with authorities warning of potential flooding in low-lying areas and along waterways. Ho Chi Minh City is expected to receive 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) of rain, with some areas possibly receiving more. This follows recent flooding in the north, highlighting the ongoing challenges of managing weather-related disasters across the country.