Public Works Department Commits to Clearing Blocked Drains as Flooding Persists
Source: Vientiane Times
The Vientiane Department of Public Works and Transport has told the Vientiane People’s Council it has a budget of 7.2 billion kip to clear blocked drains on 32 roads this year, to prevent further flooding.
The department plans to clear blocked roadside drains in Xaysettha, Chanthabouly, Sisattanak, Xaythany, Sikhottabong, Hadxaifong and Naxaithong districts.
Department officials told the Council that flooding is a frequent occurrence because drainage pipes are too small to drain off all the water that collects following heavy rainfall.
Some pipes are not connected to each other and are not equal in size, while water flow is impeded in some areas because of changes in gradient.
Another reason cited for the chronic flooding in Vientiane is the accumulation of sediment in drains due to the lack of regular cleaning and the fact that garbage blocks many roadside drains.
In addition, natural water channels have not been properly managed and the ongoing construction boom means that the city’s natural drainage sinks have been obliterated because of soil landfill which raises ground levels so that water cannot drain off naturally.
Many ponds have also been filled in, notably, Nongchan, Nongbone, Nongtha, and Nong That Luang, while more and more agricultural land has been built on.
In an attempt to resolve the problem, the department plans to clear main and secondary water channels, remove garbage from roadside gullies and manholes on a regular basis, and reinforce gullies so that water drains away more quickly.
Officials will instruct local residents and village authorities to participate in the management and cleaning of drainage ditches and not to dump garbage in drains.
The Vientiane Department of Public Works and Transport will also ban the removal of soil in the rainy season to raise ground levels at construction sites and will take action against those who violate the ban.
In a further bid to keep roads and drains free of debris, the department has instructed the drivers of trucks carrying sand, soil, and gravel to ensure that loads are adequately covered, and will require the companies responsible to inspect trucks annually.
The department will also formulate a plan to clean up canals before the start of the rainy season each year and prepare a budget with sufficient funding to widen canals so they can carry more water.
