On the morning of October 16, dense fog blanketed Ho Chi Minh City, obscuring landmarks like Landmark 81. This photo was taken at 7 a.m.

According to Le Thi Xuan Lan, former deputy head of the forecasting department at the Southern Regional Hydrometeorology Station, the fog followed heavy rain the previous night. She explained that the phenomenon occurred due to a temperature inversion, combined with 100% humidity and weak winds, creating thick fog.

In some areas, such as Quoc Huong Street in Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City, water from the previous night's downpour still lingered on the roads.

Dense fog covered tall buildings and residential areas in HCMC, especially in areas near rivers and canals.

The fog significantly reduced visibility, especially around tall buildings, which were almost completely obscured.

The thick fog signaled a rise in fine dust pollution, which poses a serious risk to respiratory health if exposure is prolonged.

According to the IQAir application, a provider of air pollution data for more than 500,000 locations worldwide, Ho Chi Minh City ranked seventh out of 120 major cities for air pollution levels as of the morning of October 16. Meanwhile, Hanoi ranked 17th.

By 10:30 a.m., the fog started to dissipate.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicts that Ho Chi Minh City and the southern region will experience cloudy weather, with scattered showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoon and evening. Some areas may experience heavy downpours, with the potential for whirlwinds, lightning, and strong gusts. Temperatures will range from 24°C to 27°C at their lowest and 30°C to 33°C at their highest.

Nguyen Hue