Saigon is going all out to make sure citywide floods like those is 2015 and 2016 won't be a common occurrence.
Recently, Ho Chi Minh City authorities announced that the city will pour another VND8 trillion (US$347 million) to 218 anti-flooding projects this year, Sai Gon Giai Phong reports. Of the additional funding, VND5 trillion is earmarked for 77 ongoing projects; VND2 trillion is for 47 new projects; and VND819 billion will go into 94 planned projects.
The funding for these projects will come from the city's budget. Authorities are also looking into establishing policies that can attract financial contribution from public-private partnerships. In the meantime, Saigon's current anti-flooding effort with a US$431 million price tag is expected to complete by June 2019.
According to the ongoing project's plan, solving flooding problems in the city center and fiver outer areas will be prioritized. Tasks such as improving sewerage system on Mai Thi Luu Street in District 1, upgrading Huynh Tan Phat Street in District 7, and a project to prevent flooding caused by tides are expected to be done this year.
The HCMC Project Management Unit of Transport Construction will also speed up several wastewater collection and treatment projects including the expansion of Binh Hung Wastewater Treatment Plant and the construction of the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Installations of underground water reservoirs in areas with high risk for flooding is also mentioned in the plan.
