HCMC – Hanoi has ordered the construction of eight new reservoirs covering nearly 150 hectares as part of an urgent plan to strengthen the city’s drainage capacity amid growing urban flooding.
The city government said the plan is aimed at accelerating ongoing drainage projects and completing key components of the system in line with the approved urban planning.
The eight planned regulating reservoirs—considered essential for easing pressure on the existing drainage network and coping with extreme rainfall—include Chem Lake (9 ha), Co Nhue 1 (10 ha), Co Nhue 2 (9.8 ha), Thuy Phuong 2 (14.5 ha), Lien Mac 1 (13 ha) in Thuong Cat Ward, Phu Do (31.5 ha) in Tu Liem Ward, and Yen Nghia 2 (5 ha) and Yen Nghia 1 (20 ha).
Hanoi also directed agencies to review canals and rivers that no longer serve agricultural purposes and convert them for urban drainage. The city will purchase additional pumping trucks, water pumps, and support equipment to improve response capacity during heavy rain.
Authorities have asked project developers to accelerate urgent drainage works ahead of next year’s rainy season. Key tasks include upgrading and rebuilding drainage pipes and channels along Thang Long Avenue, and improving the lower section of the Kim Nguu system that connects the To Lich River to the Yen So pumping station.
For areas with completed drainage systems, such as the To Lich basin, the city instructed operators to maximize the efficiency of existing infrastructure and ensure water is quickly directed to outlets and pumping stations. The system must be able to handle rainfall of up to 310 millimeters over two days, or 70 millimeters per hour.
In areas where drainage systems are incomplete—including the left and right Nhue River basins—relevant units will carry out new construction using state budget funds.
