Mass evacuation proposed after An Giang severe erosion
>> Mekong Delta faces erosion threat
>> Dozens of houses slide into river in An Giang
The Party Secretary of An Giang Province Vo Thi Anh Xuan said the government should have policies to evacuate 20,000 households from erosion prone areas after 14 houses fell into Hau River on April 22.
"If it is caused by human activities then the authorities must tighten management and if it's a natural cause then we must have preventive measures to deal with such as avoiding building urban areas in these locations," he said.
According to Ha, if the erosion is a natural cause then building embankments was not very effective. They need to adjust the urban planning and avoid activities that have adverse effects on the environment.
Ha denied the accusation that geological monitoring hadn't been carried out regularly and said An Giang authorities had issued early warnings to the residents to move out. It was regretful that the erosion caused huge financial damage but lucky that no one was hurt, he said.
In the near future, the authorities will carry out more detailed research to indicate different danger levels and causes.
Tran Dang Duc, director of the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment said about 20 such incidents occurred each year and caused VND200bn in damages. "Warning signs have been put up at 51 spots along 62km, accounting for 40% of the length of Tien and Hau rivers. Over 20,000 households are affected," Duc said.
Talking about the erosion in My Hoi Commune, Duc said the authorities issued warnings every year as this is where Vam Nao and Hau rivers meet and create strong currents. The riverbank also has too many constructions including schools, residential areas and factories. It's highly likely that erosion will continue to occur in this area.
Party Secretary of An Giang Province Vo Thi Anh Xuan proposed with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to evacuate 20,000 households in danger zones that are likely affected by erosion in the next five years.
"The ministry will direct the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources to work with international experts to assess the situation and submit solutions to the prime minister. Sand exploitation and canal dredging activities must be tightened," Ha said.
Scene of the erosion
"If it is caused by human activities then the authorities must tighten management and if it's a natural cause then we must have preventive measures to deal with such as avoiding building urban areas in these locations," he said.
According to Ha, if the erosion is a natural cause then building embankments was not very effective. They need to adjust the urban planning and avoid activities that have adverse effects on the environment.
Ha denied the accusation that geological monitoring hadn't been carried out regularly and said An Giang authorities had issued early warnings to the residents to move out. It was regretful that the erosion caused huge financial damage but lucky that no one was hurt, he said.
In the near future, the authorities will carry out more detailed research to indicate different danger levels and causes.
Tran Dang Duc, director of the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment said about 20 such incidents occurred each year and caused VND200bn in damages. "Warning signs have been put up at 51 spots along 62km, accounting for 40% of the length of Tien and Hau rivers. Over 20,000 households are affected," Duc said.
Talking about the erosion in My Hoi Commune, Duc said the authorities issued warnings every year as this is where Vam Nao and Hau rivers meet and create strong currents. The riverbank also has too many constructions including schools, residential areas and factories. It's highly likely that erosion will continue to occur in this area.
Party Secretary of An Giang Province Vo Thi Anh Xuan proposed with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to evacuate 20,000 households in danger zones that are likely affected by erosion in the next five years.
"The ministry will direct the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources to work with international experts to assess the situation and submit solutions to the prime minister. Sand exploitation and canal dredging activities must be tightened," Ha said.
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