The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported 2,573 lightning strikes on September 30 and another 1,237 on October 1, bringing the two‑day total to over 3,800.

These figures make the event the second‑largest lightning outbreak in Ho Chi Minh City since the start of 2025, only surpassed by the May 10 storm of last year, which recorded nearly 5,000 strikes in 24 hours.

According to the same department, the unusually high frequency was caused by a combination of upper‑atmospheric disturbances, wind convergence and a low‑pressure trough. Together they created an environment that favoured strong convective clouds, allowing electrical charges to build up quickly in the humid, unstable air.

Although no lightning‑related injuries were reported, the heavy downpours caused severe flooding in several districts and led to major traffic jams, especially during rush hour. The weather also forced many incoming flights to circle, divert or delay.

The storm shows how specific atmospheric conditions can turn ordinary thunderstorms into a record‑breaking lightning event, reminding residents that even familiar rain can become hazardous when the sky is primed for intense electrical activity.