Emergency construction order: A drastic solution to urban flooding in Thai Nguyen.

Given the increasing frequency of localized flooding in the central area of ​​the province during heavy rainfall, particularly in Phan Dinh Phung ward, Thai Nguyen province has issued an emergency construction order. This solution aims to address the immediate flooding issues, minimize damage caused by natural disasters, and gradually implement fundamental, long-term solutions to ensure urban safety and stabilize the lives of the people.

Construction of drainage pipes in Group 1 (Gia Sang Ward).

An urgent task arising from practical requirements.

According to expert analysis by the Department of Construction, heavy rainfall occurring in short periods, with common rainfall amounts of 50 to 100mm in a short time, even concentrated within 20-40 minutes, has exceeded the design capacity of the existing urban drainage system. Meanwhile, many main drainage pipes, ditches, and streams built many years ago have clearly shown limitations in cross-sectional area, are silted up, and have encroached on the drainage corridors, seriously reducing their drainage capacity.

In reality, during heavy rains, water can flood low-lying areas to a depth of 20-40cm, directly affecting traffic and people's daily lives. However, when the rain subsides, the water recedes quite quickly, indicating that the drainage system is still operational but lacks the capacity to cope with extreme rainfall, necessitating urgent action and comprehensive upgrading in the near future.

During a field inspection in Phan Dinh Phung ward, Provincial People's Committee Chairman Vuong Quoc Tuan requested the Department of Construction to advise on issuing an emergency situation and an emergency construction order, accelerating construction progress to avoid a repeat of the situation where projects are delayed while houses are already flooded.

To ensure progress, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested increased efforts to encourage people to voluntarily dismantle illegal structures, restoring drainage space, and to mobilize construction forces to work continuously in multiple shifts during the rainy season.

Residents are removing auxiliary structures encroaching on the drainage system on Dam Xanh Street (Phan Dinh Phung Ward).

In response to the urgent need, on December 5, 2025, the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen province issued Decision No. 2132 on the Order for the construction of emergency works to remedy the flooding situation in Phan Dinh Phung ward, with an initial total investment of approximately 60 billion VND.

According to the plan, the province will launch a simultaneous campaign starting on December 20, 2025, focusing on clearing encroached areas along drainage ditches, streams, and sewers; dredging and clearing main drainage routes; renovating and supplementing inlets, manholes, and box culverts at frequently flooded areas; and perfecting the operation procedures of regulating reservoirs, especially Xương Rồng reservoir, to improve the efficiency of rainwater storage and regulation.

Mobilize public support for land clearance.

One of the key factors for the timely implementation of the emergency project is the consensus and cooperation of the people in land clearance work. The Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Construction, and local authorities have clearly identified that clearing the corridors of canals and streams not only meets immediate technical requirements but is also a fundamental solution to ensure smooth water flow, protect the living environment, and ensure long-term urban safety.

Currently, localities are stepping up efforts to raise awareness and encourage people to voluntarily dismantle encroaching structures, clean up waste, and promote the "State and people working together" movement. The implementation process involves the coordinated efforts of the entire political system, the military, the police, and grassroots organizations, creating a high degree of unity in awareness and action.

A structure located on the Mo Bach stream corridor (in group 3, Quan Trieu ward) has been voluntarily dismantled by local residents.

In Phan Dinh Phung ward, two task forces have been established to coordinate with neighborhood groups in inspecting the status of illegal constructions encroaching on streams, sewers, and drainage corridors. Following the inspections, local authorities have encouraged and persuaded households with illegal constructions to voluntarily dismantle them and hand over the land for the dredging and expansion project of the drainage system.

At the same time, people were encouraged to strictly comply with regulations on protecting stream and drainage corridors, refraining from encroachment, littering, and obstructing water flow. Households and individuals with violating structures signed commitments to complete the self-demolition before December 7, 2025.

Mr. Nguyen Van Kien, resident of neighborhood 36, Phan Dinh Phung ward, said: "My family fully agrees with the province's policy and has promptly moved all our belongings from the drainage ditch, completing the relocation before December 5, 2025."

Meanwhile, Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Ly, head of residential group No. 3, Quan Trieu ward, shared: After being informed and persuaded, most people agreed and voluntarily dismantled the constructions on the drainage system, handing over the land to the authorities.

Experience shows that in areas where residents agree and hand over the land early, construction proceeds smoothly and efficiently, minimizing disruption to daily life and transportation. This is also an important basis for the synchronized and timely implementation of technical solutions, ensuring their sustainable effectiveness in urban flood control...

Towards fundamental and sustainable solutions for urban areas.

According to Mr. Pham Quang Anh, Director of the Thai Nguyen Department of Construction: The immediate plan requires allocating approximately 60 billion VND, with implementation expected to be completed before the Lunar New Year in 2026. The focus is on clearing encroached areas along canals, streams, and culverts; dredging and clearing drainage pipes, manholes, and water collection pits in areas prone to flooding; and constructing and upgrading several components of the central drainage system.

Gia Sang ward is gathering materials for the construction of the drainage system.

Alongside immediate tasks, Thai Nguyen province is preparing to implement long-term solutions for the period 2026-2030, with a total estimated capital requirement of approximately 450 billion VND. Key solutions include reinforcing main drainage streams, upgrading and expanding large sewer lines, constructing regulating reservoirs and forced pumping stations in low-lying areas, and integrating drainage planning into the provincial and urban planning frameworks.

In addition, local authorities need to regularly implement self-governing neighborhood models in residential areas, encouraging residents to maintain environmental hygiene, refrain from encroaching on drainage corridors, avoid dumping garbage into drainage systems, and not obstruct water inlets.

Regular monthly inspections and reviews of the drainage system and areas prone to flooding should be conducted to promptly identify and address blockages and sedimentation.

In addition, stricter measures should be taken against violations such as illegal dumping of waste, encroachment on roads and sidewalks, and construction that obstructs water flow or affects drainage. Local authorities also need to develop contingency plans for heavy rain, assign on-site forces to be ready to assist in opening water inlets, clearing waterways, and handling flooding situations. They should also guide people on how to cope with unusually heavy rainfall, ensuring the safety of people and property, and contributing to minimizing damage.

It can be affirmed that the issuance and implementation of the Emergency Flood Control Construction Order not only meets the immediate need to address the situation but is also an important step in the roadmap for building a safe and climate-resilient urban area in Thai Nguyen.

The success of this task largely depends on the cooperation and consensus of the people, especially in land clearance and the protection of urban drainage systems, for the common good and for the sustainable quality of life of urban communities today and in the future.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/thoi-su-thai-nguyen/202512/lenh-xay-dung-cong-trinh-khan-cap-giai-phap-quyet-liet-voi-tinh-trang-ngap-ung-do-thi-thai-nguyen-5aa4b97/