As the realities of HCMC’s vulnerability to climate change are becoming increasingly apparent, the city is finally taking serious steps to address chronic (and worsening) flooding.  

Do Tan Long, head of the Irrigation Management Office of HCM City's Steering Centre of Urban Flood Control Programme, said that the city People's Committee will work to build 30 lakes in the second half of this year with the hope of alleviating seasonal flooding, according to Bernama citing Saigon Times Daily.

“Large” lakes will be built on the city outskirts while a smaller variety will be placed in inner-city areas.

Funding will come from both public and private funds, according to Long. "The city will utilise its budget to build large lakes and raise funds from residents for the smaller lakes," he said.

Ho Long Phi, project manager of the Steering Centre of Flood Control, said that once established, the lakes will have the capacity to reduce floods by “around 30 percent.”

In addition to unchecked urban development that has eliminated vital watersheds around the city, flooding has been exacerbated by the city’s sinking topography.

Researchers at the National University Ho Chi Minh City’s Geoinformatics Center found that many areas of HCMC are sinking at a rate of 20mm per year. The trend, which began in 1996, has been increasing steadily since 2004. Based on estimates from the city Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE), “many parts will sink a further 12-20 centimeters by 2020.”

As HCMC has been identified as one of the ten cities most likely to be severely affected by climate change, the city must continue to adopt flood prevention measures to ensure its public and economic health.

[Photo via Anh Dinh]