Urgent solution to the problem of flooding and landslides when the tide level rises rapidly

Currently, the highest daily water level on the river banks and canals in Vinh Long province is rising rapidly following the high tide of the 15th day of the 9th lunar month and is always at a high level. This situation leads to the possibility of flooding low-lying areas in the province; the possibility of riverbank erosion due to high tide combined with upstream floods. Along with that is the possibility of negative impacts on the environment, traffic activities of boats, and socio-economic activities will also be affected during the time of high water level following the tide. Especially in weak dyke areas, sandbanks, islands, and riverside areas in the province.

Flood warning

High tides flooded many roads in Vinh Long. Photo: Phuc Son/VNA

Mr. Truong Hoang Giang, Director of Vinh Long Province Hydrometeorological Station, warned that from now until November 9, flooding will occur between 3-8am and 4-8pm, depending on the location. Flooding will occur earlier in coastal areas. The maximum depth of flooding will depend on the location and the daily tides, ranging from 40-80cm depending on the location. Flood risk warning level is level 2.

According to Mr. Truong Hoang Giang, high tides are likely to flood low-lying areas in Vinh Long province. Flooding is likely to have a negative impact on the environment, road and waterway traffic activities, and residential areas; especially in the areas from Phu Tuc commune (Tien river), Tien Thuy commune, Vinh Thanh commune, Phuoc My Trung commune (Ham Luong river), Thanh Thoi commune, Nhi Long commune, Long Duc ward (Co Chien river), Tan Hoa commune (Hau river) and above.

In Vinh Long, high tides are likely to deeply inundate riverside areas, areas outside the dyke, some roads in Thanh Duc, Phuoc Hau, Long Chau, Tan Ngai wards, and National Highway 57. Flooding will also occur in other low-lying areas, weak dyke areas, areas without and outside the dyke, areas of sandbanks, islands, riverside areas, and coastal areas.

The Vinh Long Province Hydrometeorological Station recommends that localities need to have plans to protect and reinforce the dyke system, raise furniture and belongings, and proactively deal with flooding and landslides caused by high tides combined with upstream floods, rain and other factors.

According to Vice Chairman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Truc Son, to deal with and overcome the flooding situation when the tide rises, Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee requested relevant agencies, units and localities to urgently organize and implement important contents in the short term as well as in the long term.

Accordingly, the immediate solution is that the People's Committees of communes and wards take the lead and coordinate with the Public Works Joint Stock Company to immediately inspect the drainage system and the sluice gates leading to the river to promptly dredge and clear them to ensure good operation and replace and repair lost or damaged tide valves (if any) under the local management to minimize the situation of river water flowing back into the sluice gates and drainage culverts causing water to overflow onto the road surface. At the same time, strengthen patrolling to maintain security and order in each locality, not allowing the loss of public property (especially in the wards of the old Vinh Long city area).

Localities closely monitor the tide situation, assign forces to closely follow each area to promptly deploy response and remedial measures; at the same time, strengthen information, propaganda and warning work about the tide situation to keep people informed.

Regarding the operation of drainage pumping stations in wards in the old Vinh Long city area, it is recommended that the People's Committees of the wards continue to proactively contact Vinh Long Public Works Joint Stock Company to operate pumping stations to support drainage on the roads when necessary (implement contracts and payment procedures to ensure compliance with regulations).

The Department of Construction proactively coordinates with localities and road management units (Road Management Area IV) to strengthen road patrols and inspections throughout the rainy and stormy season to promptly detect and handle arising cases; regularly inspect drainage systems under the management of the Department of Construction to promptly dredge and clear them to ensure good operating conditions.

Overcoming urban flooding

High tides flooded many houses in Vinh Long. Photo: Phuc Son/VNA

According to Vice Chairman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Truc Son, in the long term, to overcome the flooding situation in urban areas every time the tide rises, Vinh Long Department of Construction will preside over and coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Environment, provincial departments, branches and localities to research and advise on the development of an urban flood prevention project to implement in the province.

Specifically, Vice Chairman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Truc Son assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to preside over and coordinate with relevant departments, branches, localities and units to survey and evaluate the dike and embankment works under management, locations with potential risks of landslides (especially in wards in the old Vinh Long city area), have effective and long-term solutions, report and propose to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and budget allocation. At the same time, the Department also presides over and coordinates with branches and localities to inspect all trees in the area at risk of falling due to storms and have a plan for handling.

Vice Chairman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Truc Son directed the Vinh Long Provincial Agricultural Project Management Board to urgently accelerate the progress of the dike and embankment projects under construction; at the same time, study and prepare a report proposing the investment policy for construction and upgrading of embankments and dykes to prevent flooding, ensuring anti-flooding elevation in areas frequently flooded during recent high tides. In particular, it is necessary to prioritize the completion of the embankment and dyke system in the old Vinh Long city area: Long Ho river embankment from Lau bridge to Nga Tu bridge, Co Chien river embankment from Thanh Duc ward to Dinh Khao ferry (remaining section). At the same time, coordinate with the Provincial Civil and Industrial Project Management Board in handling the drainage system in Phuoc Hau ward (embankment section under construction from Kinh Cut bridge to Lo 2 bridge).

The Provincial Traffic Project Management Board urgently reviewed, researched and prepared a report proposing investment policies to build and upgrade deeply flooded urban roads (especially in wards in the old Vinh Long city area), to ensure flood protection. Priority will be given to investment in 5 roads, including: 30/4, 3/2, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Le Thai To and Tran Phu.

The Provincial Civil and Industrial Project Management Board urgently speeds up the implementation progress to complete the Urban Development Project and enhance the ability to adapt to climate change in Vinh Long city, Vinh Long province to improve drainage capacity and prevent urban flooding. At the same time, immediately organize the fabrication and installation of 2 box manhole covers of the Kinh Cut river embankment project.

Vice Chairman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Truc Son also directed Vinh Long Public Works Joint Stock Company to effectively manage and operate the drainage system in the wards of the old Vinh Long city in accordance with the Contract signed with the Urban Management Department of Vinh Long city before. The Company proactively coordinated with the People's Committees of the wards of the old Vinh Long city, operated pumping stations to support drainage of the roads and effectively implemented measures to prevent flooding and respond to high tides. The Company proactively coordinated with the People's Committees of the wards to immediately survey new flooding points, arrange additional pumps at new flooding points, and proactively arrange backup pumps to ensure effective drainage pumping.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/cap-bach-giai-bai-toan-ngap-lut-sat-lo-khi-muc-nuoc-thuy-trieu-len-nhanh-20251107174404112.htm