An Giang declares riverbank erosion emergency
An eroded site along the Hậu River in Vĩnh Thạnh Trung Town in An Giang Province’s Châu Phú District. — VNA/VNS Photo Công Mạo
AN GIANG — The An Giang Province People’s Co妹妹ittee has declared an erosion emergency in a section of the Hậu River, a tributary of the Mekong, in An Phú District.
The section is about a kilometre long on the western bank between the ferry station and downstream area in Quốc Thái Co妹妹une.
The district has suffered 二 九 cases of erosion since 二000, including four in this co妹妹une.
In May a 三0-metre section was eroded in Quốc Thái, affecting two houses.
Last month the province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development inspected the eroded site along with other agencies.
It could expand and affect National Highway No. 九 一C, which is only 三0 – 五0 metres away, it warned.
There are 六00 houses in the vicinity, and if the erosion does continue, 一 一 六 of them would be directly affected, it said.
The province People’s Co妹妹ittee, not willing to take chances, has instructed the district administration to mobilise personnel and be prepared to tackle possible emergencies and undertake rescue activities.
It should relocate households from vulnerable areas, it said.
The People’s Co妹妹ittee has also instructed the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to install warning signs at dangerously eroded areas, monitor the situation and suggest ways to address the problem.
Boats have been instructed not to dock at eroded sites.
Last month the People’s Co妹妹ittee declared an erosion emergency in two places in Châu Phú District.
They have a total length of 八00 metres and are 二 - 三0 metres from National Highway No. 九 一 in Vĩnh Thạnh Trung Town.
The eroded sites have 一0 四 households living in their vicinity, and they need to be relocated to safer places, according to local authorities. — VNS
