HCMC – While flooding is not uncommon in HCMC, 61% of the city’s area is forecast to be inundated at all times by 2050.
In bad weather conditions, HCMC’s inundated areas will possibly rise to 71%.
The above information was given by Nguyen Thi Thanh My, deputy director of the HCMC Department of Natural Resource and Environment, on October 28 in a report on a proactive response to climate change, enhancement of resources management and environmental protection.
There are numerous reasons for flooding in HCMC. Rising sea levels, high density of canal systems and higher rainfalls are the objective causes for flooding in HCMC.
Flooding in HCMC is also attributed to subjective reasons such as rapid urbanization and increasing concreted areas reducing the natural water drainage.
According to My, currently, 48% of the wards are often inundated, and the number facing flooding will increase to 55% by 2050.
The municipal authority is looking to reduce flooding triggered by rain as a key mission for the coming years.
In the period of 2016–2020, the city planned to handle flooding for 36 main streets and 179 alleys but only 55% of the plan had been realized by the end of 2020.
The city has developed a massive flood tide control system but the project is now falling behind schedule. The lack of finance is one of the main reasons for such a delay.
