VietNamNet Bridge – The annual flooding in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta could reach its peak this weekend with rivers in its upstream areas rising by 8-10cm daily, said the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The Tien River, a major tributary of the Mekong, is estimated to rise to 4.4 meters, equal to the third and highest alarm level, at An Giang Province's Tan Chau Station.

The Hau, the other major tributary, is expected to swell at 3.8 meters, just 20cm below the third alarm level, in Chau Doc Town in An Giang.

At other stations in Dong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds) and the Long Xuyen Quadrangle, the peak levels are expected to reach and cross the third level.

On Monday, the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control sent an urgent dispatch to flood-affected localities while ministries, and other agencies calling for measures to cope with the floods.

An Giang, Dong Thap, Long An, Kien Giang, Tien Giang, and Hau Giang provinces and Can Tho City should inspect dykes, sluice gates, and residential and farming areas and ensure their safety, the dispatch said.

Local authorities should pump out flood waters from paddy and vegetable fields and orchards and help farmers quickly harvest rice, vegetable, and aquaculture farms ready for harvest, it said.

They should educate locals about protecting children during floods, set up safe places for children living in flooded areas, and ensure the safety of children going to school, it said.

Rescue stations should be set up at key places to enable rescuers to save people and their properties in an emergency, it said.

Flood-affected provinces have implemented several measures to deal with flooding.

In Dong Thap, one of the hardest hit normally, authorities have moved people out of erosion-prone areas, inspected and strengthened dykes, and got facilities ready for rescue activities.

Floods have washed away roads and residential areas and are threatening 2,600ha of rice in Dong Thap's Hong Ngu District.

In the province's Thanh Binh District, flood waters have eroded land measuring 3.9km in length in Tan Phu A Hamlet, including several road sections, affecting the lives of hundreds of families.

In Thanh Binh District, authorities have decided to build 4km of road and dyke at a cost of VND85 billion (US$4 million) to prevent further erosion and a residential area to move families living in erosion-prone areas.

In An Giang, authorities identified nine safe places for children during flooding at the end of last month.

Source: VNS