Hanoi Plans $40.55M for Flood Control System Upgrade

Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi will spend VND847.5 billion ($40.55 million) on repairing and upgrading all of its reservoirs before May 31 in a move to prevent floods during the upcoming season, said deputy director of the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Duc Trung. The department will collaborate with district People's Committees and water resources enterprises to evaluate operational processes at all reservoirs and work out plans to cope with flooding.
“Sluice gates will be checked and repaired to prevent flooding, and new concrete laid over reservoir roofs,” he attributed, adding that the reservoirs will also be repaired to prevent leaks.
Local authorities will impose fines ranging from VND2 million to VND30 million on individuals or organizations caught using the reservoirs for their personal purposes as they could cause damage to the system, Trung added. Hanoi now has 96 reservoirs regulating water for agricultural production. Eleven of the largest reservoirs range in capacity from 2-62 million cubic meters, including the Suoi Hai in Ba Vi district, Quan Son in My Duc district and Dong Suong in Chuong My district. (Vietnam News April 6 p3, vovnews.vn April 4)