According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, from September to October 2024, the ENSO phenomenon is likely to shift towards La Niña with a probability of 60-70%. The rainy season in Central Viet Nam is slated to begin around late August and early September 2024. As a result, various units and localities across Da Nang have begun preparations for flood prevention and response to widespread inundation.

The Da Nang Drainage and Wastewater Treatment Company using mechanical equipment to dredge and clear drainage systems in Son Tra District. Photo: HOANG HIEP

Drainage dredging and maintenance

Since late July 2024, Thanh Khe District People’s Committee has initiated the dredging and clearing of 95 drainage channels and sewers across 10 wards, prioritising areas prone to severe flooding. The contractors have completed dredging 33 drainage routes, including 10 ones in Tam Thuan, 7 in Chinh Gian Ward, 10 in Thanh Khe Dong Ward, one in Thanh Khe Tay Ward, and 5 in Thac Gian Ward.

Currently, dredging is ongoing for 40 more routes, which will be completed in August 2024. The dredging work for 10 routes is expected to be finished in September, and the remaining routes by mid-October 2024, before the onset of the central region's rainy season.

The Thanh Khe District Urban Management Division has notified the schedule for dredging activities and requested the Da Nang Drainage and Wastewater Treatment Company to mobilise residents to assist in clearing drainage channels.

Other districts are also expediting drainage clearance efforts, aiming to unblock all water inlets and rainwater drains before 31 August 2024.

Son Tra District has instructed wards to use the funds allocated from early 2024 for dredging drains, including those in alleys, behind houses, open sewers, and channels. They are also restoring blocked water inlets and clearing obstructions from open channels before the 31 August 2024 deadline.

Mr. Cao Hoang Thang, Head of the Son Tra District Urban Management Division, reported that the district completed a survey and inventory of drainage channels needing dredging in April 2024, with plans to begin work in August 2024. The dredging and clearing of rainwater inlets will be completed by 31 August 2024, as directed by the municipal People’s Committee.

Identifying flood-prone areas

In addition to dredging drainage systems, the municipal Department of Construction has worked with local units to survey and identify specific points and areas at high risk of flooding during heavy or extreme rainfall, enabling the implementation of appropriate measures.

A total of 124 potential flood points have been identified citywide, excluding areas flooded by rising water levels nearby the Yen, Tuy Loan, and Cu De rivers. Of the figure, 41 points have been in Thanh Khe District, 29 in Lien Chieu District, 18 in Cam Le District, 14 in Son Tra District and 12 in Hai Chau District.

Ten key areas prone to severe flooding during heavy rainfall have also been identified, including areas around Thac Gian - Vinh Trung Lake, Hai Ho Street, alley 640 Trung Nu Vuong, Nguyen Nhan Street (Phong Bac Canal), Nui Thanh, Le Tan Trung, low-lying alleys along Me Suot Street, the entrance to Hoa Khanh Industrial Park, along Yen The and Bac Son Streets, and residential areas along the lower drainage route of Khe Can in Thanh Khe Tay Ward, Thanh Khe District.

Since June 2024, the Department of Construction has developed urban flood response scenarios for the city and reported them to the Da Nang People’s Committee to guide local units in implementing specific flood response measures.

These scenarios are tied to tasks that must be performed before, during, and after heavy rains, with forecasts ranging from moderate rain (under 50mm per event) to very heavy rain (50-300mm per event), widespread flooding, and storms.

The municipal People’s Committee has directed departments, agencies, and units to undertake 13 regular tasks, 14 immediate solutions, and 7 long-term strategies to gradually mitigate flooding across the city.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP- Translating by TRUC VY