Bac Ninh: Efforts to solve the problem of flooding

Having faced flooding, Kinh Bac ward and surrounding areas have made significant efforts to invest in and improve the drainage system. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Quyet, Director of Bac Ninh Drainage and Wastewater Treatment Company, said: Since the early 2000s, the province has implemented a drainage and wastewater treatment project using ODA capital from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, building hundreds of kilometers of sewers, many pumping stations and large-capacity wastewater treatment plants.

In recent years, the locality has also renovated and built new regulating lakes (Van Mieu, Thanh Co, Dap Cau, Thi Cau, Phuc Ninh...); invested in and connected drainage lines for new urban areas; installed automatic rainwater monitoring stations. Maintained service units operating the urban drainage system. These investment activities and methodical management of the drainage system have contributed to fundamentally solving the problem of not allowing flooding to last.

Rescuing a car that stalled in the recent heavy rain in Bac Giang ward. Photo: Mai Toan.

Despite certain results, local flooding still occurs in some low-lying areas (Y Na and Niem Xa overpasses; Rap Hat Street; Thien Duc and Nguyen Cao Streets; Cong O intersection...) when there is heavy rain. Especially when the rain exceeds the design capacity of the drainage system (rainfall over 35 mm in 20 minutes). The cause is due to the pressure from the rapid urbanization process, leading to the existing drainage system no longer being able to keep up. Some sewer sections have an unsuitable height in terms of hydraulics, causing stagnation. The sedimentation of mud in canals also significantly reduces the drainage capacity...

In the central area of Bac Giang ward, the authorities and people are also having to deal with flooding every time there is heavy rain. Many central roads are flooded, affecting people's daily lives. Although tens of billions of dong have been invested to improve the drainage system such as: Adding some new sewer lines on Nguyen Van Cu and Tien Giang streets; re-installing the drainage system on Hoang Van Thu street connecting to Hung Vuong street; installing additional large-sized stormwater drainage systems according to the planning on some central roads. However, the situation of flooding due to heavy rain has not been completely resolved. Ms. Tran Quynh Hoa, Bac Giang ward said: "Flooding has a great impact on traffic activities and urban environmental sanitation, especially during peak hours when going to work or taking children to school. I hope that the authorities will pay attention to investing in sewer systems, creating drainage and quick drainage, limiting local flooding, contributing to building a civilized and modern urban area, improving the quality of people's lives."

According to the authorities, the main cause is that the drainage system, especially in residential areas, is overloaded, causing flooding during heavy rains and prolonged periods of rain. Illegal encroachment, leveling and dumping of waste into ponds, lakes and drains are still common, narrowing and clogging the drainage system. In addition, the areas that are prone to local flooding are all places with lower ground levels than other areas, the drainage capacity of some main sewers currently does not meet the flow, while the coordination of drainage system operations between units is not yet synchronized...

At the meeting with the Department of Construction to discuss solutions for urban drainage in some areas of Bac Giang ward that recently took place, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Van Thinh emphasized: Urban drainage and flood mitigation are urgent tasks that need to be implemented immediately. Specifically, dredging and clearing the drainage system on some main routes, especially the 3/2 Square area. During the renovation and dredging of the Hung Vuong overpass roundabout area, if necessary, it will be converted into a semi-flooded park. The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also agreed on the policy of thoroughly separating the basins; lowering the bottom level of the spillway gate in the Hoang Hoa Tham park lake area and allowing the application of technology in the management of the spillway gate for effective operation. Assign the Bac Ninh Province Civil and Urban Development Project Management Board No. 1 to promptly receive documents and implement the project to build, renovate and upgrade the drainage system in Bac Giang city (old); departments and branches advise on the organizational model and operation of the Urban Drainage Pumping Center to suit the reality to maximize efficiency. In particular, assign the Center to be the focal point for managing and operating the systems. At the same time, establish a rapid response team in Bac Giang ward to respond to flooding...

According to urban experts, the problem of urban flooding needs to be approached by Bac Ninh province in a multi-dimensional way, combining technical, management and planning solutions. For sustainable development, the province needs to establish a general urban drainage plan for the whole province with a long-term vision, integrating construction planning, land use planning and climate change adaptation. Apply information technology, water level monitoring systems and rain forecasting to make timely and accurate operational decisions. In addition, experts from the Institute for Urban Research and Infrastructure Development (Vietnam Construction Association) said that it is necessary to develop and protect the system of regulating lakes to reduce the load on the traditional drainage system.

To successfully achieve the goal of building a civilized, modern and livable Bac Ninh city, thoroughly solving the flooding problem is the top priority. With the attention and drastic direction of the provincial leaders and the solution to build a comprehensive urban drainage strategy, Bac Ninh can completely completely solve the problem of flooding, moving towards a green, clean, beautiful and livable city for the people.

Duc Anh

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/bac-ninh-no-luc-giai-bai-toan-ngap-ung-postid422408.bbg