Vietnam Ministry Seeks VND2.9T for Upgrading Water Reservoirs

The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is seeking the government approval to repair and upgrade water reservoirs with an estimated capital of VND2.92 trillion ($140.38 million). The reservoirs in 33 provinces and cities nationwide are downgraded severely because they have been put into operation for 30-35 years amid capital shortages for regular repairs. Climate change, complicated weather and big floods have also damaged a number of water reservoirs, threatening lives and production activities of local residents. The ministry earlier planned to install automatic monitoring systems at 10 major reservoirs in the central region from Aug in a move to mitigate great effects of floods and storms. The ten reservoirs with a capacity of over 10 million cu.m are A Vuong in Quang Nam province; Ba Ha river and Krong H’nang in Phu Yen province; An Khe, Kanak, Se San 4 Se San 4A in Gia Lai province; Ho Ho and Ke Go in Ha Tinh province and Huong Dien in Thua Thien-Hue province. (Ha Noi Moi –New Hanoi Sept 7 p3, Tien Phong – Pioneer Sept 6 p5)