Thai Nguyen: Developing comprehensive plan to reduce flooding in central area

On the afternoon of April 8, the Thai Nguyen provincial People’s Committee held a workshop to gather feedback on a comprehensive plan for the dyke and irrigation reservoir system, aimed at improving flood regulation capacity and proposing solutions to reduce flooding in the central area. Party Secretary Trinh Xuan Truong, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Vuong Quoc Tuan, along with representatives from ministries, sectors, research institutes, localities in the Cau River basin, and experts and scientists attended the workshop.

Overview of the workshop.

At the workshop, the Institute of Water Resources Planning under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment reported that during 2024–2025, the Cau River basin experienced multiple extreme rainfall events with intensity and frequency exceeding historical levels. The causes were attributed not only to climate change but also to the province’s incomplete and unsynchronized flood prevention infrastructure.

The consulting unit proposed key solution groups, including structural measures such as constructing new left and right bank dykes along the Cau River from Cao Ngan Bridge to Thac Huong Dam. It also recommended building and upgrading large-capacity reservoirs to divert floodwaters from upstream areas, including Van Lang, Yen Trach, Nghinh Tuong, Thanh Mai, and Cam Giang reservoirs. In addition, it suggested dredging and widening the river flow at vulnerable locations. The estimated total cost for these structural measures is about VND 37 trillion.

Alongside structural solutions, the consulting unit also recommended that Thai Nguyen Province and localities such as Hanoi and Bac Ninh study non-structural measures, including improving the operation efficiency of existing reservoirs, reviewing and adjusting irrigation planning, planting forests, and strengthening forecasting and early warning capacity for natural disasters.

Speaking at the workshop, the provincial Party Secretary requested that the provincial People’s Committee seriously absorb all feedback and finalize the plan scientifically and feasibly, clearly identifying the roadmap and priority order, and proactively mobilizing and balancing resources to implement the solutions in a coordinated way. The goal is to gradually enhance flood prevention capacity and reduce flooding, especially in the central area.

Following the directive, the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to finalize the plan and report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for submission to competent authorities for issuance. He also tasked the Department of Construction with studying and proposing specific projects to ensure coordinated, focused, and effective implementation.