Landslides have been occurring in the last week in the province of Hau Giang, causing traffic congestion in some localities. 

On May 26 morning, landslides occurred in an area with 50 meters in length in Tan Phu Thanh hamlet in Chau Thanh A district, resulting in the collapse of a concrete road with the width of 3 meters, thus breaking off traffic in the locality.

Chau Thanh district is believed to be the hardest hit with landslides occurring in 30 places in the locality. The district’s agriculture sub-department estimates that it would take about VND1 billion to fix the problem.

In Dong Thap province, landslides have occurred in 34 communes and towns of 8 districts and cities with the total stricken area of up to tens of hectares. 

The districts of Hong Ngu, Lai Vung, Chau Thanh, and the cities of Cao Lanh and Sa Dec are the localities with most serious damage. 

Most recently, the embankment outside the U Minh Thuong National Park in Kien Giang province, 32 kilometers long, has eroded, while eight houses have been seriously damaged.

A report shows that landslides have occurred in 265 points in Mekong River Delta on a total length of 450 kilometers. 

Landslides not only occur during flooding, but in dry season as well. Scientists have warned about landslides and depression, saying that the problem may be serious this rainy season.

Le Anh Tuan, deputy director of the Research Institute on Climate Change Study, an arm of the Can Tho University, commented that El Nino has eased its influences to Mekong River Delta which has helped stop the drought. 

Meanwhile, La Nina is predicted to come in August, when the localities in the delta would suffer from floods.

The ‘Long Xuyen Quadrangle’ region and Dong Thap Muoi, the inland wetland, are considered the two ‘water containing bags’ for the Mekong River Delta.

Since many embankments have been built to serve the production of the third rice crop, the water capacity has diminished. 

Under the 2012 scenario on climate change, if the sea water level rises by one meter, 39 percent of area and 35 percent of the population in Mekong River Delta would suffer. 

In Can Tho City, if the water level rises by one meter, this would cause flooding to 68 percent of Can Tho City’s area.