VietNamNet Bridge – The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Dong Thap needs VND657 billion (US$28.8 million) for a resettlement housing project to relocate thousands of households in erosion-prone areas.

More than 1,150 cubic metres of sand were used to protect an eroded area along the Tien River’s bank in Dong Thap Province’s Cao Lanh City. — VNA/VNS Photo Chuong Dai

More than 5,900 households living on landslide sites in the province should be relocated to safe places, according to the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Of the figure, there are about 2,440 households in urgent need of relocation.

The resettlement housing project is waiting approval from the Prime Minister to build 12 new residential areas and clusters, Deputy Director of the provincial People’s Committee Vo Thanh Ngoan said.

Since the beginning of this year, nine landslides have damaged 163km of land along Tien River’s bank in the province, and caused losses of over VND172 million ($7,530).

Thanh Binh District, Hong Ngu Town and Cao Lanh City have been the most affected by erosion.

Ngoan said erosion incidents were more common in areas along riverbanks and around islets, as well at places where the river is divided and river sections with unstable streams.

The province plans to deal with eroded areas along Tien River’s bank in Thanh Binh District’s Binh Thanh Commune and Chau Thanh District’s An Hiep Commune.

This would include building an embankment between Thanh Binh District’s Binh Thanh Commune and Cao Lanh District’s Phong My Commune, and implementing the second phase of project on extending a 460m section of embankment in Hong Ngu District’s Thuong Thoi Tien Commune.

The province has asked the districts’ people’s committees to install warning signs and raise awareness about erosion prevention among local residents.

An inspection team will implement solutions to prevent erosion at the affected locations.

The province’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment will also monitor sand exploitation in an effort to prevent riverbank erosion.

Between 2005 and 2017, the province had 25 eroded sites along the Tien River, covering an area of 305ha, according to a report from the department.

The province provided VND350 billion ($15.3 million) in funds to move locals from landslide areas to new residential areas.

Source: VNS