Unexpected heavy rain on Saturday afternoon has caught Ho Chi Minh City residents off guard, seriously flooding the city, including Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and paralyzing railroads in Thu Duc District.

Pictures of planes parked in large pools of water went viral on social media and reminded the online community of a similar incident last summer which back then prompted the city to spend over $16 million to improve the airport's drainage system.

Heavy rain followed by serious flooding are the norm during the rainy season in Ho Chi Minh City, which lasts from May till end of October every year. The city enjoys a dry season for the other six months, making the Saturday rain especially unusual.