Da Nang steps up flood control projects after historic 2022 deluge

Reporting at a municipal Party Committee meeting on Thursday, the department said the city had mobilized resources to address long-standing flooding hotspots, particularly around Nguyen Van Linh Street and Thac Gian-Vinh Trung lakes.

Three projects completed, nine targeted for 2027

The three completed projects have begun delivering initial results in 2026, helping improve drainage in several flood-prone areas.

The largest involves upgrading drainage infrastructure around Da Nang International Airport, helping alleviate flooding around Thac Gian-Vinh Trung lakes, Nguyen Van Linh Street, the Le Duan-Hoang Hoa Tham intersection, Tran Xuan Le Street, and surrounding areas.

The other two projects are the second-phase upgrade of the Ong Ich Khiem pumping station, which serves the areas around Da Nang Railway Station and Quang Trung and Dong Da Streets, and a drainage pipeline running from Phu Loc Canal to Nguyen Tat Thanh Street via Phung Hung Street.

However, the department said the urban drainage system still faced significant limitations.

Many drainage pipes were built in different periods, with low elevations and limited capacity. The system is also affected by heavy rainfall, high tides, and rising river and sea levels.

Existing infrastructure can generally handle rainfall of around 50-60 millimeters per hour in older urban areas and approximately 70 millimeters per hour in some newer urban developments.

When extreme rainfall exceeds these levels, localized flooding becomes highly likely.

Flood maps to cover four rainfall scenarios

Alongside infrastructure investment, the city is completing flood maps based on four rainfall scenarios: 56 millimeters, 72 millimeters, 115 millimeters, and 135 millimeters per hour.

The city is also integrating data from surveillance cameras, pumping stations, rainfall monitoring, and known flood-prone locations to support real-time operational decisions, aiming to minimize damage to residents.

Da Nang is prioritizing several drainage projects for completion before the 2027 rainy season.

These include the No. 2 Khe Can drainage pipeline; an underground drainage route on Trung Nu Vuong Street; drainage works in the Ban Thach and Tam Ky areas; upgrades to the Thuan Phuoc and Dao Xanh pumping stations; and the Nguyen Nhan road bridge over Phong Bac Canal.

Other projects include a drainage pipeline from Xuan Hoa A Lake to Da Nang Bay, a drainage route from Road No. 4 in Hoa Khanh Industrial Park to the Cu De River, and the drainage system east of the airport.

The city is also planning to dredge and improve the Do Xu, Phan Lang, Phuoc Ly, Trung Nghia, Bau Tram, Hoa Phu, and E1 Hoa Xuan regulating lakes, along with other related lakes.

In southern Da Nang, the city has identified a climate-resilient urban development and flood control project as a priority, with a total estimated investment of around VND7 trillion (US$266 million).

Flood prevention requires more than infrastructure

The department said blocked drainage inlets and the dumping of rubbish and construction waste into the drainage network were among the problems reducing water flow during heavy rainfall.

The city is therefore focusing on dredging all drainage inlets, collection channels, sediment traps in manholes, main canals, and major sewers.

Authorities are also addressing sediment build-up and obstructions that narrow waterways, with the work targeted for completion in October 2026.