Around 5:00 p.m., heavy rain fell across Ho Chi Minh City, affecting central areas, Thu Duc City, and the districts of Binh Thanh and Go Vap.
As a result, multiple trains on the metro line stopped at various stations. Passengers expressed frustration at the disruption, and the metro operator had to issue an apology for the delays.
Minh Hiep, 32, recounted that his train came to a stop at Thu Duc Station in Thu Duc City after departing from Ben Thanh underground station in District 1. At the same time, another train heading in the opposite direction—from Thu Duc to District 1—also halted at the same station.
Announcements over the loudspeakers alerted passengers to the delays caused by adverse weather, while station information boards displayed “Service Disruption.”
A crowd waits at Ben Thanh underground station in District 1 for their trains as Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien metro line is halted on Dec. 27, 2024. Photo by Read/Ha Giang |
A representative from the HCMC Urban Railway Company Limited No. 1 (HURC1), the metro’s operator, explained that at approximately 5:25 p.m., the safety protocols were triggered by heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning. To ensure passenger safety, operations were suspended, and trains were moved to stations for inspection.
“After about 30 minutes, train services resumed as normal,” the representative said.
They emphasized that halting operations and conducting thorough inspections are part of strict safety procedures during the metro’s early operational phase, adding that passenger understanding was appreciated.
The representative also noted that as the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien metro is newly operational, even minor technical issues are being closely monitored to ensure safety.
On Thursday, a signal issue caused a train to stop for 10 minutes at Ba Son underground station in District 1, creating a chain reaction that affected other trains.
The Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien is HCMC’s first metro line. Operations began on Dec. 22 after 17 years of planning and 12 years of construction.
For the first month, passengers can ride the metro for free. Over the past few days, the line has experienced a surge in ridership, with some stations overcrowded during peak hours. From Dec. 22 to 25, the metro completed nearly 800 trips, serving almost 400,000 passengers.
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Le Van Tho Street in Go Vap District, HCMC, is submerged after heavy rains on Dec. 27, 2024. Photo by Read/Ha Giang |
The rain on Friday, which lasted nearly an hour, was unusual for this time of year. Despite being an end-of-season downpour, it was heavy enough to cause flooding on several streets, including Le Van Tho and Nguyen Van Khoi in Go Vap District and Nguyen Duy Trinh in Thu Duc City.
Traffic congestion worsened in many areas during the evening rush hour due to the rain.
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