VietNamNet Bridge – Ben Tre Province authority has requested VND250 billion (US$10.9 million) from the central government to build a revetment along Mo Cay Nam District’s Mo Cay riverbank to combat bank erosion, according to Cao Van Trong, chairman of Ben Tre People’s Committee.

An erosion site on Mo Cay Nam District’s Mo Cay riverbank in June. Ben Tre has asked for VND250 billion from the central government to build revetments along the river. — Photo baotainguyenmoitruong.vn

The revetment project, which will be nearly 3 kilometres long, will be built to protect the 2,000 nearby households as well as community facilities and factories from soil erosion.

Nguyen Ngoc An, deputy chairman of Mo Cay Town People’s Committee, said that four houses along a 30-metre long eroded section in residental quarter No. 7 had fallen into the river in June.

Dinh Van Xuan, who lives in the quarter, said that half of his house was seriously damaged after it suddenly collapsed into the river in less than a minute.

Six metres of land along the river have eroded in quarter No.7. The erosion is expected to widen in the future, according to authorities. 

The province has been investing in building river revetments for Mo Cay Town, but limited funds have prevented construction.

Around 70 households living near the riverbank have been evacuated, but most have nowhere to resettle.

The Mo Cay Town People’s Committee has urged the province to complete the revetment as well as help the evacuated move to other areas.

Climate change has caused devastating erosion along rivers and coasts in Ben Tre Province, affecting families and important construction works.

Source: VNS