Speaking at a meeting with departments and local authorities on 4/7, Tran Van Lau said that flooding in the city center is a recurring issue due to high tides, prolonged heavy rain, clogged drains caused by waste, and encroachment on canals.

"I will personally award 50 million VND, a certificate of merit, and consider a suitable working position for anyone who proposes an effective solution that significantly reduces or eliminates flooding during the next few rain events," Lau stated.

Can Tho People's Committee chairman Tran Van Lau speaking at the meeting on 4/7. Photo: Trung Nguyen

Can Tho People's Committee chairman Tran Van Lau speaking at the meeting on 4/7. Photo: Trung Nguyen

The chairman requested the Departments of Agriculture and Environment, and Construction, along with local authorities, to collaborate closely in managing the drainage system and renovating canals to mitigate heavy rain and high tides. He also emphasized the importance of improved waste management, preventing encroachment, and inspecting, repairing, and upgrading the drainage system for optimal performance.

City leaders assigned departments to develop a comprehensive drainage plan and propose long-term wastewater treatment investment projects to ensure sustainable development.

According to Nguyen Dang Khoa, deputy director of Can Tho’s Department of Construction, recent heavy rains combined with high tides have flooded major roads like Cach Mang Thang Tam, Mau Than, Nguyen Van Cu, Nguyen Van Linh, and Tran Hung Dao, with water levels reaching 20-40 cm for 2-4 hours. The downpour on 27/5, with 67.7 mm of rainfall, left about 20 streets in the old Ninh Kieu district submerged.

From 8/2024 to 7/2025, the city recorded 12 high-tide events exceeding alarm level 3, peaking in 9, 10, and 11/2024.

Cach Mang Thang Tam street in central Can Tho heavily flooded during a downpour in mid-May. Photo: Trung Nguyen

The Department of Construction has proposed adjusting the city's drainage plan until 2050, adding detailed plans to address climate change, and prioritizing solutions such as building embankments, tide-control gates, boat locks, pumping stations, and improving the drainage system.

Can Tho city has implemented an urban development and climate resilience project with a total investment of nearly 9,200 billion VND, including a World Bank loan of 250 million USD, a 4 million USD non-refundable grant from Switzerland, and the remaining amount from domestic counterparts.

Completed components include over 10 km of embankments along the Can Tho, Cai Son, and Rach Muong Khai rivers; 12 tide-control gates; the Cai Khe boat lock; two high-capacity pumping stations; and drainage improvements on 32 central roads. While this system has shown initial effectiveness, many areas remain severely flooded during heavy rain or high tides.

Cuu Long