VietNamNet Bridge – A 10-metre section of the Ong Dung canal's embankment in Thanh Xuan Commune, District 12, collapsed last Friday due to an unexpected tidal surge.


The collapse caused flooding in the residential area. More than 30 households and dozens of hectares of land were submerged. Thousands of apricot trees, which were supposed to be sold for the Tet holiday, were affected and would probably not be able to blossom.


Deputy chairman of District 12's People's Committee Nguyen Toan Thang said the collapsed section was under the management of the project of investment and construction of water works.


Local authorities, in co-operation with HCM City Irrigation Services Exploitation Company, quickly installed five high-capacity pumps at the scene to remove water from the residential area and mobilised human resources to clean up the scene.


By the afternoon, the scene was under control, Thang said.


An overflow also occurred at Cau Vong Canal, but local residents noticed and were able to prevent the embankment from collapsing.


To ensure the safety of residents in the flood-prone areas, District 12 authorities requested relevant units to examine the embankment and would intervene if necessary.


According to the Southern Hydro-Meteorological Station, the peak of the surge measured at Phu An Station on Sai Gon River reached 1.44m. Today's tide was expected to be 1.45m, exceeding the second warning level.


* Vietnam sets up Natural Resources and Environment University


The establishment of the Natural Resources and Environment University was announced in Hanoi on January 23.

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Manh Hien said the university was to provide sufficient human resources of high quality for the sector’s development.


The university will give priority to training managers and fundamental surveying specialists.

In the near future, it will focus on such fields as remote sensing, meteorology, maritime and island management, geology and minerals, and cartography.


In addition, the school will offer courses in natural resources and environment economics, environmental management, and natural resources management.


* Three wild elephant calves drowned


Three wild elephant calves were found to found drowned while having followed their mothers to drinking water at lakes in Ia R've Commune in the Central Highland province of Dak Lak's Ea Sup District within the same month.


The calves were believed to weigh 120-200kg.


A herd of 40 elephants has congregated in the commune looking for food since last August.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News