Prevention and control of flooding in urban areas

Due to the impact of climate change, in the past 5 years, in many urban areas in the province such as: Hung Yen city, My Hao town, Yen My town (Yen My), Nhu Quynh town (Van Lam) ... localized flooding often occurs. Mild flooding lasts 30 - 40 minutes, severe flooding lasts 2 - 3 hours.

Tue Tinh Street (Hung Yen City) was partially flooded after the rain on July 23, 2024

Almost every year, localized flooding occurs in Hung Yen city when there is heavy rain. In June and July this year, many roads in wards such as An Tao, Hien Nam, and Le Loi were flooded by heavy rain. This not only makes it difficult for people to travel but also reduces the quality of life and negatively affects business activities in the central area. Ms. Vu Thi Hien, a resident of Luong Dinh Cua Street, An Tao Ward, said: Every time there is heavy rain, the water cannot drain in time, the road in front of my house is flooded, many times the water overflows into my house. After the rain, I have to wait an hour for the water to recede, affecting my daily life and travel.

Not only on Luong Dinh Cua Street, even major roads in Hung Yen City such as Nguyen Van Linh Street, Tue Tinh Street, Pham Bach Ho Street... have many sections that are locally flooded when heavy rain occurs. During the days from July 22 to July 24, due to the impact of storm No. 2, the measured rainfall in Hung Yen City reached 158mm, some roads were flooded, affecting traffic and people's lives.

Residents in Yen My town (Yen My), Nhu Quynh town (Van Lam) and some wards of My Hao town such as Ban Yen Nhan, Nhan Hoa, Phan Dinh Phung... reported that many roads were flooded after heavy rains. Every time there is heavy rain, the flooding usually lasts from 30 to 40 minutes, causing significant impacts on traffic and daily life of residents in the above areas. Notably, the high traffic density in these areas makes the situation more complicated, leading to many traffic safety risks and making travel difficult.

The main causes of flooding are climate change with increasingly unusual and unseasonal heavy rains, rapid urbanization, and old and poorly maintained drainage systems. In addition, some people litter, which clogs canals and drains, hindering the flow of water.

To overcome the flooding situation during heavy rains, localities have implemented a number of measures such as: regularly renovating and dredging sewers and drainage ditches, upgrading the drainage system along with the process of upgrading roads, ensuring that 100% of newly invested and constructed roads have drainage targets. From 2023 to present, Hung Yen city has spent more than 10 billion VND to upgrade the drainage system, renovate drainage canals and pumping stations in the area. In addition, Hung Yen Urban Environment and Construction Joint Stock Company has established a "Quick Response Team" to promptly handle local flooding situations, ensuring that the drainage system is always clear. The quick response team is ready with tools and human resources to clear drainage when necessary and warn traffic to minimize risks. In addition, local authorities and specialized units maintain flood control teams, regularly clear sand and weeds on roads to drain water faster. Team members also proactively stay on duty at flooded areas, clear water flows and warn drivers of passing vehicles, to ensure people's safety. Comrade Pham Quoc Hoan, Vice Chairman of Hung Yen City People's Committee, said: In the process of urban development, the city focuses on reviewing and adjusting spatial development planning, infrastructure development, gradually upgrading and perfecting the drainage system. At the same time, it is important to maintain and renovate regulating lakes in the city; strengthen planning management, grant construction permits for urban areas; build habits of environmental sanitation for people, prevent littering, encroachment on sidewalks, river corridors, and obstructing the flow of water so that drainage is faster and more open.

The industry warns that in the coming time, there will continue to be heavy, unusual, unseasonal rains that do not follow the rules due to the impact of climate change. To effectively prevent and combat flooding, functional sectors and local authorities need to closely and strictly manage the drainage system. At the same time, raise people's awareness in maintaining environmental hygiene, preventing littering, the situation of haphazardly assembling construction materials on sidewalks and roadsides, and strictly handle cases of encroachment on canals, ponds, lakes, obstructing drainage manholes, and dumping garbage into manholes and sewers. Strict measures and sanctions against littering and encroachment on canals and ditches need to be thoroughly implemented. Urban areas need to develop a master plan for a scientific drainage system, in line with urban development and future climate change forecasts.

Goodness

Source: https://baohungyen.vn/phong-chong-ngap-ung-khu-vuc-do-thi-3174180.html