Vietnam Net –
From 2017 to early 2018, Dong Thap has recorded 36km of eroded areas along the banks of the Tien and Hau Rivers, encroaching the mainland from 0.5-30m. Compared to 2016, the eroded area increased by 8.3km in length, causing a loss of 13 hectares of land.
At the same time, sections with high risks of erosion increased to 66, 10 sections more than in 2016, with an economic loss of 30 billion VND.
Currently, 2,400 local households are living in risky areas and need urgent evacuation.
Erosion has been seen in 25 communes, wards and towns in eight out of 12 district of the province, mostly in Hong Ngu, Thanh Binh, Chau Thanh districts and Cao Lanh city.
As of early 2018, 258 households were moved to safe places.
According to Nguyen Van Duong, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dong Thap, the province has directed localities to keep a close eye on risky sites and plant alert signs, while strengthening communications on preventive measures among the community.
The province has mapped out a corridor of erosion to lay a foundation for the evacuation of locals to safer places.
Meanwhile, it has constructed public infrastructure works in resettlement areas. More than 13,000 households have moved to the areas.