Highway Construction Misalignment Causes Severe Flooding for 320 Households in Dong Nai

In Vietnam's southern Dong Nai province, issues with drainage facilities for the under-construction Bien Hoa - Vung Tau Expressway have caused severe damage to local residents. On September 14, the Dong Nai Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed that the cause of the extensive flooding in Phuoc Tan ward was the misaligned installation of drainage culverts crossing the expressway. This misalignment obstructs the natural flow of the river, making it difficult to drain water from residential areas. Heavy rainfall on September 10 and 11 caused the Buong River to rise, inundating many roads and residential areas. In the Huong Phuoc neighborhood, water levels temporarily reached 1.5 meters with strong currents, affecting approximately 320 households. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development stated that in addition to the culvert misalignment, heavy rainfall in the upper reaches also contributed to water accumulation. The Buong River area in the center of Bien Hoa city has historically been prone to flooding during the rainy season. The cross-section of the river has been narrowed at the site of a temporary iron bridge installed for expressway construction, further impeding water flow. The province has instructed Phuoc Tan ward to continuously survey flooded areas and implement measures to clear drainage channels and improve drainage. In the long term, the ward has been asked to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the flooded areas and propose solutions to the City People's Committee. Phuoc Tan ward authorities have requested the early development of drainage channels from low-lying areas near the expressway to the river. They also proposed adjusting the direction of water flow from the stream into the culverts to avoid sharp bends, thereby speeding up drainage during heavy rains and when water flows from upstream. The Buong River is about 56 kilometers long and is one of the major rivers in Dong Nai province, playing a crucial role in water supply, drainage, and flood prevention. Source: VnExpress