Hanoi official proposes construction of underground reservoir to curb flooding

Director of the Hanoi Department of Construction Vo Nguyen Phong has proposed the construction of an underground rainwater reservoir to curb flooding in the city’s downtown area.

During a meeting organized by the municipal administration on Thursday, the construction official suggested that the People’s Committee in Hoan Kiem District consider building an underground rainwater reservoir at Bat Dan-Duong Thanh Intersection, situated in the Old Quarter, to mitigate flooding in the area.

A similar reservoir was previously built underneath Nguyen Khuyen Street in Dong Da District, Phong stated, adding that the severity of inundation at the location in 2021 reduced by 70 percent compared to the previous year.

In order to ease the flooding in the inner city and some surrounding areas, the construction department will coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, drainage units, and irrigation companies in developing both short- and long-term solutions.

These solutions may include pumping stations, water storage tanks in low-lying areas, and upgrading of the drainage systems in areas near the Nhue and Red Rivers, the official elaborated.

It is also necessary to add an urban drainage system along Thang Long Avenue and come up with flood control measures for local road tunnels, he added.

In 2021, Hanoi was able to eliminate flooding from five hotspots on Thanh Dam, Truong Chinh, Giai Phong, Doi Can, and Pham Van Dong Streets, the construction department reported.

Inundation was also curbed along such roads as Thuy Khue, Minh Khai, Hoa Bang, Ngoc Lam, and Hoang Nhu Tiep.

However, the problem has yet to improve at Phan Boi Chau - Ly Thuong Kiet Intersection, Bat Dan - Phung Hung Intersection, Cao Ba Quat Street, Nguyen Chinh Street, and Thang Long Avenue.

Hanoi has been repeatedly lashed by unusual torrential rains brought about by a trough in the past week, which resulted in severe flooding in multiple areas.

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