During the rainy season and annual floods, high tides often inundate low-lying areas of Can Tho, particularly Binh Thuy Ward and major roads, disrupting residents’ daily lives and travel.
Mai Van Tan, director of the Can Tho Department of Construction, said one cause of flooding was the low elevation of built-up areas, ranging from 1.4 to 2.65 metres. Some pumping stations have also experienced technical problems or lacked sufficient capacity, slowing drainage.
Tides above warning level III turn Ninh Kieu Wharf in Can Tho into a river (Photo: Hong Nhung).
The Ninh Kieu Bridge pumping station has a capacity of 1.5 cubic metres per second, while the station at the end of Chau Van Liem Street can pump 2 cubic metres per second. Operations at both stations have improved following inspections and repairs.
In the immediate term, the Department of Construction will advise commune and ward authorities to inspect and clear blocked drains to help water recede more quickly during heavy rain.
To prevent river and canal water from flowing into urban areas during high tides, Can Tho People’s Committee chairman Truong Canh Tuyen said the city was urgently completing procedures to seek central government funding for sluice gates near the former ferry terminal and in Binh Thuy.
The city has also instructed its agriculture sector to propose an additional sluice gate at the new Binh Thuy Bridge to prevent rising water levels in the Binh Thuy River from flooding surrounding areas.
Ba Bo Canal is being upgraded (Photo: Hong Nhung).
In the longer term, Can Tho is implementing an urban development and climate resilience project with a total investment of more than VND 8 trillion (USD 308 million). The project deadline has been extended to December 31, 2028.
Work is being accelerated on packages to upgrade the canal and waterway network under the project.
Once completed, the infrastructure is expected to help prevent tidal flooding in Binh Thuy and Thoi An Dong wards, protecting an area of about 1,300 hectares.