HÀ NỘI (VNS) –– The Hà Nội Sewage and Drainage Company has announced three scenarios to reduce heavy flooding in the city during the upcoming rainy season.

According to the first plan which was released at a meeting on Wednesday, if moderate rain up to 50mm per two hours occurs, the company will mobilise workers to the low-lying areas. The employees have already been cleaning the drainage system often to avoid flooding.

In the second scenario, when there is heavy rain of 50mm to 100mm per two hours, the company will appoint workers to supervise and control the flooding by using pumps to force the flow of water and collect obstacles that hinder its path. In addition, the Yên Sở pumping station will be operated at its highest capacity.

When the rain exceeds 100mm per two hours, along with the earlier measures in the second plan, all the workers will be mobilised to deal with the flooding. The company will work with relevant agencies to temporarily evacuate residents from flooded areas if necessary.

The company’s director, Vũ Tiến Hùng, said the construction of 17 traffic projects and waste gathering places near the mouth of the drainage systems had affected the water flow, leading to flooding at 16 sites in the city.

Vice-director of Hà Nội Department of Construction Võ Nguyên Phong said the construction of new sewage systems to collect domestic wastewater and repairs on existing sewers and drains were underway. However, the city had only invested in a drainage system along the Tô Lịch River, so some sites would still experience flooding even after the project was finished in June. –– VNS