Many places have reached historical water levels, the risk of flooding is still high
Regarding the recent high tide in the South, some places recorded water levels of historical value, such as Can Tho or My Thuan, exceeding the level of 2022 or 2023, increasing by 5-6 cm.
For Ho Chi Minh City, on the evening of October 23 and 24, the water level was recorded at 1.77 m - equivalent to the historical value that occurred in 2019. In Thu Dau Mot, the water level exceeded the historical value by about 7 cm.
In terms of data, this is one of the extreme values. However, if we consider the abnormality, it is not too different, because on the full moon or the first day of the lunar month of the last months of the year, the tide level often rises.
When high tides coincide with heavy rain or strong Northeast winds, water levels will rise higher than normal, causing flooding. However, this year the overall flooding level is more serious than previous ones" - Mr. Le Dinh Quyet - Head of Forecasting Department of the Southern Hydrometeorological Station commented.
In early November, the highest water level of the day at most stations on the Saigon River rose slowly. By November 3, the highest daily tide peak will be approximately at or above alert level II, while Thu Dau Mot station will be above alert level III. The disaster risk level in the downstream area of the Saigon River is at level 2.
From 7:00 a.m. on November 1 to 7:00 a.m. on November 3, the Southern region will have moderate rain, heavy rain and thunderstorms. Total rainfall is generally 80-150 mm, in some places over 150 mm. Therefore, there is a possibility of heavy rain combined with high tides causing flooding in low-lying areas, urban areas, industry, riverside areas and canals. During thunderstorms, there is a possibility of tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong gusts of wind.
Urgently reinforce dykes, speed up the progress of flood prevention projects
To limit damage in the remaining high tides until the Lunar New Year 2026, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ho Chi Minh City has requested the People's Committees of wards and communes to urgently reinforce and overcome the incidents of dykes and weak dykes; review and prepare forces and materials to respond according to the "four on-site" motto; strengthen shock forces and report results before November 3, 2025.
The City Construction Investment Project Management Board speeds up the progress of irrigation projects and dykes (such as the right bank of the Saigon River, Thanh Da peninsula, etc.), prioritizes the construction of vulnerable locations; arranges forces to be on duty and handle incidents when required.
The Irrigation Services Management Company strengthens inspection, coordinates with localities to respond, effectively operate works and arrange mobile pumps to overcome flooding caused by high tides.
Mr. Hoang Phuc Dung - Deputy Head of the Technical Infrastructure Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction said that to solve the flooding situation caused by tides, Ho Chi Minh City has completed projects and put into operation tidal control sluices such as: Binh Loi - Binh Trieu - Rach Lang; Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe; Rach Nhat - Ruot Ngua; 5 tidal control sluices in Thu Duc area, Ba Thon sluice, Da Han.
After being put into operation, the tidal flooding situation within the project has contributed to promoting the effect of reducing tidal flooding during the peak tidal period on October 24.
According to Mr. Dung, the city is currently implementing a flood resolution project due to tides taking into account climate change (phase 1) to solve the flooding situation in the southern area of Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City is also implementing the Thanh Da peninsula landslide prevention project, the Tran Xuan Soan road drainage renovation project... When completed, it will completely solve the flooding problem in this area, contributing to improving people's living conditions.
Some flood resolution projects in Go Vap, Thao Dien - Quoc Huong and Thu Duc market are being implemented and will also contribute to reducing flooding in the current hot areas in the area, said Mr. Hoang Phuc Dung.
