On the afternoon of October 31, although the peak of the high tide reached 2.15 m (15 cm higher than alert level 3), a series of central roads in Can Tho city such as: Ly Tu Trong, Hoang Van Thu, Tran Hung Dao, 3 months 2, Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Nguyen Van Linh, Huynh Cuong, De Tham, Xang Thoi lake area, Bung Xang lake... to escape flooding. The dry roads mentioned above are considered "strange phenomena" because previously the high tide reached its peak, causing nearly half a meter of flooding, affecting thousands of households.
Mr. Bui Thai Thuong, Director of the ODA Project Management Board of Can Tho City, said that the above results were achieved because the Cai Khe lock project was put into trial operation from the afternoon of October 30. "In the immediate future, we note that most of the areas previously flooded by high tides are now safe and convenient for transportation. The water level in these areas yesterday afternoon is 1.5-1 lower than usual. 6 m", Mr. Thuong said and said the test was conducted with 3 lock valves.
Previously, Cai Khe lock started construction in September 2022, expected to be completed by the end of 2023. This is a project under the Can Tho City Development Project and enhancing urban adaptability (total investment nearly 9,200 billion VND). Dong) invested by Can Tho City ODA Project Management Board.
The lock includes 3 main valves (each valve weighs 35 tons, width 20 m, height 6 m) and 1 valve 5 m (weight 5 tons), built at the beginning of Khai Luong canal, Ninh Kieu district. The project is designed as a lock and release system to regulate water volume during the rainy season. When it is necessary to flood the city center area, three sewer compartments will close, preventing water from the Can Tho River from overflowing. To date, the project is 70% complete with a 20 m valve yet to be installed.
According to Mr. Thuong, the anti-flooding items in the city's core area include 9 small culverts and 3 large culverts forming a closed system, helping to proactively adapt to rising water levels. Of these, 9 small culverts are located on Cach Mang Thang Tam street, 918 street, Can Tho river embankment area, and Cai Son - Muong Khai canal embankment. The three major culverts are Dau Sau, Hang Bang and the largest is Cai Khe lock. Currently, these culverts have been completed except for the Cai Khe lock.
The project to develop Can Tho City and enhance urban adaptability was approved by the Government in 2016, with the goal of controlling flooding for nearly 2,700 hectares in the center of Ninh Kieu district, Binh Thuy, protecting more than 420,000 people. The entire project has three components, expected to be completed in mid-2024.
To date, Can Tho is the only province in the West to build a boat lock to prevent flooding. In Ho Chi Minh City, a similar project with a total capital of 10,000 billion VND with the goal of preventing flooding for 6.5 million people along the Saigon River has been implemented since 2016. Initially, this project was expected to be completed in 2018, but so far it has not been possible. reached the finish line despite completing 90% of the work.