VietNamNet Bridge – Record-high tides on the Sai Gon River and heavy rains over the weekend caused flooding in several residential areas in HCM City, prompting city officials to call for the rebuilding of 58 dykes and the completion of drainage and flood-prevention projects.

HCM City: Flood may end in eight years

People rebuild a levee in HCM City's Thu Duc District to prevent floods caused

by record high tides. City officials are calling for the rebuilding of 58 levees and the

completion of additional drainage and flood-prevention projects. (Photo: VNS)

The tides were the highest level in the last 50 years, four centimetres higher than the record set two years ago, according to the city's Flood Control Centre.

Floods caused vehicle breakdowns and traffic jams during peak hours, with many roads under 1 metre of water.

Tran Cong Ly, deputy head of the city's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the high tides from November 3-8 broke nine large dyke points in districts 12, Thu Duc, Hoc Mon, Binh Thanh and Go Vap.

City officials blamed the problem on poor drainage infrastructure.

According to Le Phuoc Thao, director of HCM City Flood Control Centre, flooding over last weekend was due to both high river tides and heavy rain, a rare occurrence.

The sluggish pace of drainage projects was also to blame, as well as the weak or non-existing linkages among drainage projects that have already been completed, Thao added.

In addition, the shallow canal system, which plays a key role in releasing water, has not been dredged.

Thao said the most important drainage projects should receive priority and be completed as soon as possible, including work on the Thanh Da Canal, which often overflows.

The chairman of HCM City People's Committee, Le Hoang Quan, who visited flooded areas, urged the HCM City Flood Control Centre on Monday to set up flood-prevention zones in urban and suburban areas.

Contractors who delay flood-prevention projects without good reason will be fined, he said.

In an effort to prevent flooding, the HCM City Irrigation Association decided earlier this year to build 12 culverts and dykes to prevent floods during high tides. The project will cost VND12 trillion (US$600 million).

Over last weekend, the rising water level on the Sai Gon River during high tides resulted in a low navigation clearance under Binh Loi Bridge for hundreds of barges and large boats travelling between Binh Duong Province and HCM City.

Some barge owners, who noted that demand for raw materials to build construction projects in HCM City would be high for the rest of the year, said they were afraid that gridlock would occur as boats and barges load materials in Binh Duong Province.

High tides and heavy rains of 70mm have become more frequent in HCM City, compared to a decade ago.

"HCM City dwellers must adapt to living with flooding. They should not have any illusions about a flood-free city," said Dr. Nguyen Minh Hoa, an urban lecturer from the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Hoa said most private households should develop a plan to cope with floods. Community groups should also be more active, and groups of volunteers should be established in each ward or district, he added.

Lam Thi Ngoc Giau, whose family lives in Tan Hoa Street in District 6, said her family had been living with high tides for more than 20 years. Water comes into her house several times a month.

The family often sleeps metres above the house's floor to avoid sewage water during flooding. Many of the family members have to rent rooms nearby to sleep overnight.

Nguyen Thi Hong Lan, who also lives in the area, raised her house's foundation to 0.6 metres so water would not enter her house.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News