Floodwaters in the Mekong Delta have been rising rapidly in the last few days, creating landslide conditions along the riverbanks and threatening hundred of households from being displaced.
Three houses were swept away from the banks of the Tien River in Hong Ngu District of Dong Thap Province last week.
Landslide prone areas are also seemingly widening, prompting local authorities to relocate more than 40 vulnerable households in this region.
Dong Thap Province now has 100 landslide prone spots along its 53 kilometer stretch across 10 districts and towns, inhabited by nearly 3,000 households living from 0-20 metres from the River’s edge.
Hau Giang Province has 55 spots which could face landslides at any time, with 15 spots being at precariously dangerous levels.
An Giang Province too has suffered serious landslide calamities. Deep fissures have developed along several sections of the dyke at the edge of the Tien and Hau Rivers.
According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in the Mekong Delta Province, 56 areas along the river in An Giang Province are highly prone to landslips, some even being at danger levels.
The People’s Committee of An Giang Province has requested the Government for US$13 million aid to cope with landslides along the Tien and Hau Rivers and for relocating residents to safer areas.
The People’s Committee of Can Tho City has already decided to spend VND2.7 trillion (US$128 million) to cope with landslides and fortify landslide prone areas.
