HCM CITY — HCM City’s Department of Transport has proposed the installation of pumpers to increase water drainage capability at a canal close to the Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport.

The aim is to solve the prolonged flooding problem at the country’s largest airport.

In a proposal to the city’s People’s Committee yesterday, the department suggested that the HCM City Flood Control Centre quickly install pumpers to improve water drainage in the A41 canal, running from the airport to Cộng Hòa Road. The centre was also asked to conduct surveys and repair a collapsed sewer on Phan Thúc Duyên Street.

For the long term, the Transport Department asked the People’s Committee of Tân Bình District, where the airport is located, to set up a project to renovate and expand the A41 canal.

The slow speed of water drainage in this canal due to the accumulation of garbage has been blamed for causing serious flooding at several sections on the airport’s aprons where aircraft park and passengers board, following heavy downpours on August 26 and September 11.

The most severe flooding took place on August 26, due to which several flights were delayed or were forced to land at airports in nearby provinces or neighbouring Cambodia and Thailand.

Besides the A41 canal, the city’s Transport Department asked the Flood Control Centre to accelerate the project of renovating the 745m Nhật Bản canal, running from the airport to Gia Định Park in Phú Nhuận District. The project was proposed in July at a cost of VNĐ360 billion (US$16.1 million).

The department also requested the airport authority to complete its research on building a water reservoir at the airport to tackle flood threats and send the proposal to related departments and sectors for consultation by September 30.

The department’s proposal followed the request by the city’s Party Secretary Đinh La Thăng on Monday to develop a long-term and comprehensive plan to prevent the situation from worsening at the airport. He said flooding at the airport, an important brand for national aviation, was creating a bad impression among Vietnamese and foreign passengers. 

Serious flooding has repeatedly occurred at the airport since last year. Airport officials have warned of the risk of closure in case water threatens the power station at the airport. — VNS