VietNamNet Bridge - Real estate developers have built more and more construction projects, but many of them have not included proper water drainage systems. 

Nguyen Huu Phu, deputy chair of the Dak Lak provincial Architects’ Association, said that it was “incredible” that Buon Ma Thuot, a city in the highlands where there are  many rivers and streams, has flooded. 

Phu believes the problem lies in the unreasonable development programming. 

“There are only linear drainage systems, while there are very few horizontal systems. When it rains heavily, the water can only go to linear systems while the systems are not sufficiently capable,” he said, explaining why the flooding is more serious at the end of roads.

Phu believes the problem in Buon Ma Thuot can be settled if the local authorities set up more points to collect water on roads.

However, he emphasized that the success of the fight against flooding will depend on people’s behavior. 

“People tend to put lids on the manholes to prevent bad odors. As a result, rainwater cannot reach the drains, thus causing floods,” he explained.

Meanwhile, people in Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces believe the Highway No 1 is the ‘culprit’ which caused the floods. 

Director of the Khanh Hoa provincial Transport Department Nguyen Cong Dinh said the local authorities have asked the investor to clear the site in 16 places to facilitate water drainage.

The Chair of Tuy An district in Phu Yen province Nguyen Phung Ngoan said he can foresee that many areas on Highway No 1 would be inundated if it rains heavily because of the weak culvert system.

According to Nguyen Thanh Tri from the Phu Yen provincial Transport Department, it is very difficult to fix the problems with Highway No 1 because the highway has been enlarged and upgraded, and it is impossible to lay sewers across the highway.

“The only solution now is expanding the linear drainage systems to attract water to sewers,” Tri said.

In Nha Trang City, an anti-flood system, which facilitates the water drainage and collects waste water, has been built with investment capital of $93.6 million. However, flooding remains a problem in the tourist city.

Nguyen Hoang from the Khanh Hoa provincial Architects’ Association pointed out that the development of road and real estate projects is the major reason behind the flooding. 

He also thinks that strengthening the underground sewer systems and expanding drainage canals is the only solution for now, but this cannot settle the problem permanently.

NLD