VNExpress-Dec 15
Hanoi will undertake numerous emergency works ahead of the 2026 rainy season to prevent flooding at a cost of VND5.6 trillion (US$212.8 million), improving drainage and disaster response. In a report to the People’s Council, the legislature, the city government said Hanoi recently experienced multiple episodes of widespread, prolonged flooding caused by storms, resulting in severe losses and disruption of people’s lives. A review has identified the main causes for severe flooding. First, the sewer network and key drainage facilities have not been developed in a synchronized manner. Second, construction of drainage outlets and major pumping stations has been tardy. The required drainage capacity on the west bank of the Day River, a branch of the Red River, is 811.5 cubic meters per second, but the current capacity is only about 164.5 cubic meters, or 20%. Third, the Yen Nghia pumping station in Yen Nghia Ward in the western gateway of the capital, with a capacity of 120 cubic meters per second, does not operate efficaciously due to a lack of regulating lakes. The regulating lakes (detention/retention ponds) according to the master plan have not been implemented synchronously. A total of 5,405 hectares of lakes is planned, but only 1,010 ha has been completed. Management of drainage systems in some new urban areas have been inconsistent. While drains have been laid they are not properly connected with the city network. Finally, ground elevation levels in many newly developed areas are not aligned with surrounding zones. Some urban areas are low-lying, causing rapid water accumulation and flooding during heavy rains, while discharge outlets and major pumping stations are still lacking. Read more at: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/environment/hanoi-plans-212m-emergency-projects-before-2026-rains-to-stop-flooding-4994045.html
