Viet Nam: ‘Breakthrough solutions’ needed to mitigate Mekong Delta flooding

Local authorities in the Mekong Delta are taking serious measures to prevent flooding caused by high tides during the annual flood season in the area.

The delta’s provinces, and especially Cần Thơ City, have been severely affected by high tides over the past few days.

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Experts attributed flooding in urban areas to rising flood waters in the upstream section of the Mekong River, causing high water levels in the downstream region, including in Cần Thơ City and Hậu Giang, Vĩnh Long and Tiền Giang provinces.

In addition, excessive exploitation of groundwater has caused severe subsidence in the Mekong Delta.

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[Trần Hoàng Tựu, vice chairman of Vĩnh Long People’s Committee] said the province would seek ways to bring water into rice fields.

“This is a very important issue, which requires neighbouring provinces to find solutions to store water during the flood season,” he said. “The reality is that this year the floods are not that high, but dykes are built everywhere to protect production. Water cannot enter the field for cultivation. This can cause flooding outside the dyke.”

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