A local road is inundated due to a high tide in the Mekong Delta city of Cần Thơ on Monday.—VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Liêm

CẦN THƠ — All departments and sectors of Cần Thơ City were told to swiftly implement proactive measures to cope with expected flooding and high tides anticipated at the end of September and the beginning of October.

The move came after Deputy Chairman of the People’s Committee of the city Nguyễn Ngọc Hè signed a document to cope with flooding and high tides in the city on Friday.

According to forecasts from the city’s Meteorological and Hydrological Station, water levels in the Hậu River and local canals are expected to rise significantly from September to November, influenced by a combination of tidal surges and upstream flooding.

The highest tidal levels during this period are projected to reach approximately 20 to 30 cm above the third alert level.

The high tides will likely cause extensive flooding in low-lying areas and riverside streets within the city.

The committee has ordered the local meteorological station to monitor and update information on weather and hydrological conditions.

Timely and accurate forecasts regarding peak tide levels and rainfall should be provided to the city’s Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Committee, district-level authorities and media to ensure the public remains informed and prepared.

The Department of Transport was tasked with reviewing all national and provincial roads vulnerable to flooding across the city.

The department was required to proactively arrange personnel and equipment to manage traffic and provide assistance as necessary.

In cases where water levels become dangerously high, the department must implement temporary road closures and collaborate with relevant forces to organise and regulate traffic appropriately.

The city’s police force was assigned to enhance staffing and resources to manage traffic flow and respond to any incidents, ensuring the safety of pedestrians and vehicles on heavily flooded routes and intersections affected by high tides.

The Department of Education and Training was ordered to lead efforts in collaboration with district authorities to implement measures to prevent drowning during the flood season, particularly safeguarding children and students.

Based on tidal forecasts, the department adjusted school schedules to ensure the safety of pupils and teachers in flood-prone areas.

In central districts, especially Ninh Kiều, it must conduct inspections of roadways, particularly covering drain openings and surface conditions to mitigate risks posed by deep holes.

A review of street lighting and traffic signals was also required to prevent electrical hazards and ensure public safety.

Once the tides recede and water levels drop, local authorities were told to organise the collection of debris at drainage outlets to facilitate swift water drainage, thereby restoring normal traffic conditions.

For other districts, the committee requested prompt inspections and immediate responses to any damage to embankment systems, especially in upstream districts such as Vĩnh Thạnh and Thốt Nốt.

Local authorities must urgently implement flood prevention measures, reinforcing and elevating weak or low embankments at risk of overflow and proactively manage water pumping to protect rice fields and crops.

During the recent full moon tide in September, the highest recorded water level at the Cần Thơ station on the Hậu River was 2.08m, exceeding the third alert level by 8cm.

From 2004 to 2024, Cần Thơ experienced the highest water level at the station at 2.27 metres occurring on October 12, 2022.— VNS