Vice Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee Bui Minh Thanh issued the directive at an October 12 meeting reviewing disaster prevention efforts in the first nine months of 2026 and preparations for the rest of the year.
Thanh urged local authorities to strengthen accountability and develop disaster response plans tailored to conditions in each area to minimise casualties and property damage.
He called for a shift from conventional flood prevention towards integrated water management, combining rainwater retention and storage with effective drainage.
Reservoir operations should also be guided by rainfall and flood forecasts while balancing water needs for households and agricultural production, he said.
Local authorities were instructed to identify recurring flood hotspots, assess their causes and propose appropriate measures.
They were also told to accelerate procedures and implementation of 89 urgent repair projects already approved in principle.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, HCM City recorded two periods of high tides exceeding the third warning level during the first nine months of 2026, with water levels surpassing 1.6 metres at the Phu An and Thu Dau Mot monitoring stations.
Eight episodes of heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds also caused casualties and property damage.
No riverbank, canal or coastal erosion incidents were recorded, nor was there reported damage from drought or saltwater intrusion.
To strengthen disaster preparedness, the city organised 11 training courses for 940 teachers and broadcast eight public awareness programmes.
Authorities also approved in principle urgent repairs to 89 vulnerable infrastructure sites, with funding exceeding VND 227.9 billion (approximately USD 8.7 million) from the Disaster Prevention and Control Fund.
The projects aim to improve tidal flood protection, drainage capacity and safety in residential areas.
HCM City currently has 36 irrigation reservoirs. Authorities are coordinating operations at Dau Tieng and Tri An reservoirs to maintain dam safety and reduce downstream flood risks.
The Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Centre has warned that unsettled weather could continue through the end of the year.
Heavy rain, thunderstorms and high tides may cause flooding across southern areas from mid- to late October. Authorities have also been advised to prepare for lightning, whirlwinds, strong gusts and potential water shortages during the dry season.