Authorities of Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi have approved to spend an additional VND117 billion ($5.65 million) on implementation of nine water drainage projects this year. The projects will focus on coping with nine out of 23 seriously submerged areas in 10 districts during heavy downpours by the end of the year, state media reported May 25. Nine severely inundated places include Dao Duy Anh, Giang Vo, Xa Dan lake, Vinh Hung and Truong Dinh streets. Although municipal authorities have currently had to halt many projects in line with the government’s recent resolution on cutting public investment, the capital for water drainage projects has not been cut, but received more funds due to their pressing and necessary requirements, the Hanoi Finance Department Director Nguyen Thi Ha Ninh said. Earlier, the Hanoi Water Drainage Company worked out a flood scenario to prepare for possible flooding in the inner city during the upcoming rainy season. The municipal Construction Department has also identified 23 areas at risk of flooding during this rainy season, adding that its waterways and drainage system have become choked with rubbish and silt, raising the risk of flooding. Currently, a $350-million drainage project for environmental improvement is underway in the city, which is slated for completion by the end of this year. (An Ninh Thu Do –Capital Security May 25, cafef.vn May 25)
