Authorities in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta localities have been rushing to implement road upgrade projects in order to alleviate flooding caused by heavy rain and high tide.

In the center of Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City, many streets such as Nguyen Van Cu and Tran Phu are being equipped with a new drainage system as the old one was degraded and was unable to deal with inundation.

Competent authorities will also make necessary repairs and renovation on these roads, a local official said, adding that the works will be complete between May and July.

Doan Thanh Tam, deputy director of the municipal ODA Project Management Board, said that the board is planning the upgrade of the drainage system along other 30 streets in Ninh Kieu District.

The project is expected to begin in the third quarter and conclude in 2024.

“The new system will significantly boost the drainage capacity of these streets and thus minimize the risk of flooding,” Tam stated.

Renovation is being carried out on a street in Ca Mau Province, Vietnam. Photo: Thanh Mong / Tuoi Tre

In Cai Rang District, an anti-flooding project is being developed at IC3, a major traffic intersection.

The area is low-lying and is often susceptible to tidal flooding, which results in obstacles for commuters and risk of traffic accidents.

The road surface will also be raised by 0.1 to 0.5 meters.

In Ca Mau City, capital of the namesake province, downpours often submerge such streets as Phan Ngoc Hien, Tran Hung Dao, Bui Thi Truong, Nguyen Ngoc Sanh, and Dinh Tien Hoang.

Several of these roads have been elevated to mitigate the inundation, but this has also worsened the flooding situation on the remaining streets.

Residents along these streets need to elevate the floor of their houses as well to prevent rainwater from flowing in.

The construction site of an anti-flooding project along a section of National Highway No.1 in Tien Giang Province, Vietnam. Photo: Mau Truong / Tuoi Tre

Due to the limited budget, the upgrade has only been done along key routes, according to Le Tuan Hai, chairman of the Ca Mau City People’s Committee.

To further solve the problem, necessary preparations are being made to initiate a VND567 billion (US$24.7 million) drainage and wastewater treatment project in Ca Mau City, said Nguyen Minh Nhan, director of the provincial Construction Project Management Board.

The project is funded by the official development assistance (ODA) capital provided by Italy, Nhan added.

Along the many sections of National Highway No.1 in Tien Giang Province, Vinh Long Province, Can Tho City, and Ca Mau Province, multiple anti-flooding projects are being expedited, said Dao Van Binh, an official from the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam.

About 10 locations on these highway sections are usually flooded, Binh continued, adding that these projects cost a total of VND205 billion ($8.9 million).

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