The World Bank (WB) is considering providing 660 million USD for Ho Chi Minh City to settle flooding in Tham Luong-Ben Cat area.

A WB representative in Vietnam released the information at a working session on November 26 between the WB, the municipal People’s Committee and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to consider investment in the city’s projects against flooding.

According to Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Trung Tin, there are many reasons causing flooding in the city, including flood tides, upstream water release and rain.

Damage caused by flooding in the city is said to be around 5 trillion VND (238 million USD) each year.

The Tham Luong-Ben Cat project comprises of seven sub-projects, including the Vam Thuat River and Rach Nuoc Len tide control drains, and Hy vong (Hope) canal upgrade to support the Tan Son Nhat international airport drainage system, he added.

The WB is also willing to support Ho Chi Minh City in research and evaluation work as well as in building implementation roadmap and ways to improve operation and management skills.

The bank earlier funded a similar project in the Nhieu Loc–Thi Nghe area. Another one at Tan Hoa–Lo Gom is scheduled to be completed in 2014.-VNA