Dozens of households in Hanoi's Hai Ba Trung District could be lost due to river erosion following August’s Typhoon Dianmu.

After Dianmu hit the city last month, the Red River rose and the current became stronger. As a result, erosion occurred along the river bank and damaged many houses.

Nguyen Van Binh, a local in Hai Ba Trung District said he had to rent another place to live for fear of erosion. "The damage added up to VND60m-70m (USD2,700-3,100). We’re now having to pay monthly rent of VND3m but I and my wife don't really have solid incomes," he said.

Dozens other houses also have cracks, subsidence or tilting as their foundations are affected. Most are too poor to be able to move away, however, after a serious subsidence in Alleyway 975, the local authorities had asked dozens of nearby households to evacuate.

Le Bich Hang, the chairwoman of Bach Dang Ward, said, "We have put up several warning signs. We hope the authorities will quickly use rocks to prevent more erosion and in the long term, build an embankment along this area."

Binh is losing his house to erosion

Severe erosion in Bach Dang Ward

Most people can't afford to move

Dtinews