Unlike in the past landslides are now a threat even during the dry season along the Tien and Hau rivers in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta.

In dozens of areas, their banks slid into the water this year, taking buildings with them, and occasionally killing people.

Le Van Hung, head of Dong Thap Province\'s Irrigation Bureau, said while in the past landslides were rarely a threat during the dry season, now they occur throughout the year.

Dong Thap alone has 100 landslide-prone spots, with many in the districts of Thanh Binh, Tam Nong, Hong Ngu, and Chau Thanh being especially dangerous.

The An Giang Province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said 45 spots along the banks of the two rivers have been designated as highly threatened.

In Can Tho, there are 24 such spots that pose a major risk to people.

Nguyen Huu Chiem of Can Tho University\'s Department of Environment and Natural Resources Management said the uncontrolled mining of sand has changed water flows, causing the rivers to run onto their banks and set off landslides.

Authorities in the region are trying to prevent the landslides but it is a difficult task.

Dong Thap and An Giang Provinces are building housing in safe areas to relocate people from risky areas, while Can Tho plans to build 24 embankments by 2030.

But irrigation experts warn that the solutions can only be temporary because there is no foolproof way to completely prevent landslides.