Proposal for a project of over 2,300 billion VND to prevent flooding in the center of Can Tho

Three embankment lines with a total length of more than 8.2 km, along with 12 water control sluices and 6 tide-prevention sluices, are proposed to be deployed to prevent flooding for 2,800 hectares of the core area of Can Tho city center.

The information was stated by Mr. Nguyen Qui Ninh, Head of the Irrigation Department (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Can Tho) at a working session with the Can Tho City Party Committee on the afternoon of March 13. The project will prevent flooding in the core area of Can Tho, in Ninh Kieu and Binh Thuy districts.

The project is expected to be implemented this year and completed in 2026 to prevent flooding in the inner city, protect the environment, prevent natural disasters and adapt to climate change. The project is proposed to use World Bank loans and local counterpart funds.

Cai Khe boat lock will be put into trial operation in early October 2023 (when more than 70% completed), effectively preventing flooding in Can Tho's inner city. Photo: An Binh — Cai Khe boat lock will be put into trial operation in early October 2023 (more than 70% completed), effectively preventing flooding in Can Tho's inner city. Photo: *An Binh*

Can Tho City Party Secretary Nguyen Van Hieu said that in addition to the goal of preventing flooding, this project also helps to beautify the city, develop synchronous and modern infrastructure, and meet socio-economic development. However, he suggested that the authorities add urgency to the project; collect more opinions from units such as Can Tho airport, Military Region 9, Tra Noc industrial park, and people before submitting it to the central government.

The Can Tho City Party Committee also requested the City People's Committee to direct the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with Binh Thuy District to count the area, the number of affected households, and resettle to prepare for project implementation. Regarding investment capital, Mr. Hieu suggested two options: asking the Government to borrow ODA and then re-grant it to Can Tho or asking from the central budget surplus for the period 2021-2026.

How does the anti-flooding boat lock for Can Tho work? Video: *Huy Phong - Do Nam*

Previously, Can Tho City implemented a project to develop and enhance urban resilience, implemented from 2016 to June 2024 with a total capital of nearly VND9,000 billion. The project aims to control flooding for nearly 2,700 hectares of the center of Ninh Kieu and Binh Thuy districts, protecting more than 420,000 people.

The project has 3 components: flood control and environmental sanitation (building 9 km of embankment of Can Tho river, Cai Son river, Muong Khai canal, boat lock system, tide-prevention sluice, regulating lake, pumping station); developing urban corridors connecting traffic (Quang Trung bridge and Tran Hoang Na bridge - road connecting Cai Rang - Ninh Kieu district...), strengthening urban management to adapt to climate change (building an integrated, synchronous management database...).

These projects are gradually being completed, and many items have been put into operation. In particular, during the high tide of the 15th day of the 9th lunar month last year (October 30, 2023), the sewer system, boat locks, etc. were tested and achieved remarkable results. However, the flood control area has only reached nearly 15%, out of a total of more than 17,700 hectares in the city center.

An Binh

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