New dyke needed to protect HCMC

HCM CITY — A sea dyke system should be built in Vung Tau and Tien Giang provinces to reduce the effect of climate change, floods and salt-marsh contamination, experts have said.

The dyke system would not only reduce floods in HCM City, Go Cong and Dong Thap Muoi areas, but also support socio-economic development, according to Dao Xuan Hoc, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Hoc said at a HCM City conference on sea dike systems on Thursday that the dyke system would be 32 kilometres long and 50 metres wide, and a a 56,000-ha lake would regulate tides and floods caused by rain.

The dyke system would contribute to reducing the salt-marsh contamination of the rivers Dong Nai, Sai Gon and Vam Co.

Costs for the construction of a sea dyke system is estimated at about VND30 trillion (US$1.5 billion).

The event's participants asked the ministry to conduct research on the project's investment capital mobilisation, environmental effects and traffic and transport problems.

Organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in co-operation with the city's People's Committee, the conference attracted dozens of agricultural officials and experts in the field. — VNS