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 Committee 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 Commune.

The district has suffered 29 cases of erosion since 2000, including four in this commune.

In May a 30-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. 91C, which is only 30 – 50 metres away, it warned.

There are 600 houses in the vicinity, and if the erosion does continue, 116 of them would be directly affected, it said.

The province People’s Committee, 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 Committee 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 Committee declared an erosion emergency in two places in Châu Phú District.

They have a total length of 800 metres and are 2 - 30 metres from National Highway No. 91 in Vĩnh Thạnh Trung Town.

The eroded sites have 104 households living in their vicinity, and they need to be relocated to safer places, according to local authorities. — VNS