World Bank Helps South Vietnam Manage Flood Risks

The World Bank (WB) held a conference to build a comprehensive resilience plan for integrated flood risks management in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on May 10. The event is to assess flood risks in Can Tho and comes up with a comprehensive plan and measures for sustainable flood management by 2030. Participants suggested the city improve its main roads and roadside housing, combine environmental monitoring with environmental protection towards sustainable development and pay attention to climate change in its urban development plans. Can Tho is one of the Mekong Delta localities most heavily hit by climate change and rising sea levels. In recent years, the city has seen unusual flooding with levels rose to 2.15 meters in 2011 from 2.03 meters in 2007 and 1.79 meters in 2000. It is not the result of flooding upriver but from tidal surges and poor drainage in the region. Located in the lower Mekong region, Can Tho is usually affected by natural disasters, of which flooding, riverbank erosion and whirlwinds have the greatest impact on the lives of local residents. (vietnamplus.vn May 10)