Ho Chi Minh City plans to roll out a new disaster monitoring software system in September 2026. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre
Tran Nhan Nghia, deputy head of the irrigation and flood prevention division under the city’s Department of Agriculture and Environment, said city authorities have issued a series of plans, directives, and response measures since the beginning of 2026 to enhance disaster preparedness.
He added that digital transformation has become a key component of the southern metropolis’ disaster prevention strategy.
The new software is being developed as part of a broader disaster management database system and is scheduled to enter service in September.
Weather forecasts and disaster warnings are currently being updated regularly through the Ho Chi Minh City Civil Defense Steering Committee’s website and mobile applications, allowing authorities to coordinate responses more effectively while providing residents with timely information.
Apart from non-structural measures, the city is accelerating infrastructure projects designed to mitigate flooding caused by heavy rainfall and tidal surges.
Following inspections of irrigation works, dikes, and disaster prevention infrastructure, the department is implementing six maintenance and repair projects for irrigation facilities.
The projects have a combined investment of VND58.628 billion (US$2.2 million) backed by the state budget.
The city is also coordinating with neighboring localities to regulate water levels at Dau Tieng Reservoir, Tri An Hydropower Reservoir, and other local lakes, aiming to balance flood control, tidal surge management, and water supply needs while avoiding dangerous combinations of heavy rain, high tides, and reservoir discharges.
