Vietnam Plus –
Erosion and subsidence along canals, rivers and coasts have been severe in many areas in the Mekong Delta and local authorities are struggling to raise funds for works to prevent them.
Ca Mau province has around 1,000 such sites along canals as hot weather and drought have caused most canals to dry up, according to the provincial People’s Committee.
In Tran Van Thoi district, a 120-metre section of the western coastal dyke in Khanh Binh Tay commune was washed away last week. The section was two metres wide in some places.
Le Phong, Chairman of the Tran Van Thoi District People’s Committee, said warning boards have been set up at the eroded section to warn traffic.
Work to upgrade the dyke, which stretches 72km from Tieu Dua coast bordering Kien Giang province to Cai Doi Vam town, has been estimated at more than 1.7 trillion VND (72.7 million USD).
But the province is currently only building a 49km section from Tieu Dua to Song Doc town because of the lack of funds.
The dyke plays an important role in preventing coastal erosion and protecting thousands of farming households.
In neighbouring Kien Giang province, there are 14 coastal erosion sites adding up to more than 92km, according to its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.