HCMC – HCMC will activate 388 tidal-control valves and 17 mobile pumping stations to prepare for upcoming high tides, according to the city’s Department of Construction.
From October 20 to 25, several areas reported deep flooding, including the Vo Van Kiet–Ho Hoc Lam intersection, Pham Van Chieu, Le Duc Tho, Phan Van Hon, the frontage road along National Highway 22, the Binh Quoi–Thanh Da route, and Tran Xuan Soan Street.
Flooding was more severe in the Thanh Da Peninsula, where ground levels range from +1.0 to +1.4 meters above the national elevation datum, with some spots even lower, at only around +0.5 meters.
When tides reached +1.82 meters, the water level significantly surpassed the area’s natural ground elevation. At this height, the water overtopped embankments and floodwalls, causing inundation of 40 to 100 centimeters.
A project to reinforce embankments and complete flood-control structures in Thanh Da is still under construction, leaving some sections vulnerable during high tides.
Seasonal tidal peaks typically occur between the eighth and twelfth lunar months. This year, high tides in late October coincided with strong northeast monsoon winds, pushing water levels higher and leading to widespread flooding.
To respond to the next tide cycle, the city is repairing drainage pipelines and operating 388 tidal-control valves at discharge points. It is also operating 17 mobile pumps with capacities of 168 to 2,000 cubic meters per hour, supported by 10 major pump stations and tidal control gates, including Binh Trieu, Binh Loi, Rach Lang, Nhieu Loc–Thi Nghe, Thanh Da and Me Coc.
HCMC plans to accelerate major flood-control projects and complete riverbank embankments to protect residential areas, especially around the Thanh Da–Binh Quoi area.
