Hanoi plans $212M emergency projects before 2026 rains to stop flooding

In a report to the People's Council, the legislature, about the plans, the city government said Hanoi recently experienced multiple episodes of widespread, prolonged flooding caused by storms, resulting in severe losses and disruption of people's lives.

After a review it has identified six main causes for severe flooding, it said.

First, the sewer network and key drainage facilities have not been developed in a synchronized manner.

The inner city alone spreads over 313 square kilometers, but only 77.5 sq.km, within the To Lich River basin, are covered by a drainage system.

Second, construction of drainage outlets and major pumping stations has been tardy. The required drainage capacity on the west bank of the Day River, a branch of the Red River, is 811.5 cubic meters per second, but the current capacity is only about 164.5 cubic meters, or 20%.

Third, the Yen Nghia pumping station in Yen Nghia Ward in the western gateway of the capital, with a capacity of 120 cubic meters per second, does not operate efficaciously due to a lack of regulating lakes, the fact that the La Khe Canal carrying water to it is incomplete.

The Lien Mac pumping station on the Nhue River, another branch of the Red River, with a capacity of 170 cubic meters per second, is under construction, and drainage outside the inner city still largely depends on water levels in the Nhue.

Fourth is that the regulating lakes (detention/retention ponds) according to the master plan have not been implemented synchronously. A total of 5,405 hectares of lakes is planned, but only 1,010 ha has been completed.

Fifth, management of drainage systems in some new urban areas have been inconsistent.

While drains have been laid there, they are not properly connected with the city network.

Finally, ground elevation levels in many newly developed areas are not aligned with surrounding zones. Some urban areas are low-lying, causing rapid water accumulation and flooding during heavy rains, while discharge outlets and major pumping stations are still lacking.

Given these issues, the city considers the emergency works essential to also improve disaster resilience, ensure clean water supply, maintain flows in the To Lich River, and prevent pollution in rivers and lakes.

The city has also instructed relevant agencies to prioritize fund allocation and streamline investment procedures to ensure that the main components of all projects are completed before the 2026 rainy and storm season.

On Aug. 26 a downpour from the previous night brought by Typhoon Kajiki inundated streets such as Nguyen Trai, Truong Chinh, Minh Khai, Nguyen Xien, and Vo Chi Cong.

The water levels reached a meter in some areas, causing motorbikes and cars to stall en masse on roads.

Traffic on National Highway 6, a key route linking Hanoi with the northwest, ground to a halt as water submerged vehicles bumper-deep.

On Vo Chi Cong Street, there was a four-kilometer traffic jam on the direction leading from Noi Bai airport to downtown Hanoi. Commuters spent hours stranded, with some turning to the metro or wading through waist-deep water to reach work.

On Sept. 30 the city received the heaviest downpour in decades, one far exceeding its drainage network’s capacity, and many streets and residential areas remained flooded until Oct. 1, forcing the military to send personnel to ensure the safe passage of vehicles and people in affected areas.

On Oct. 7 there was more severe flooding, this one caused by Typhoon Bualoi, which paralyzed 30 major streets and caused enormous disruption to traffic and daily activities.