Road erosion in Bù Đăng District in the south-eastern province of Bình Phước. — VNA/VNS Photo

BÌNH PHƯỚC — An urgent dispatch has been issued by Bình Phước Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control to mitigate the damage caused by recent erosion and subsidence. 

Since the beginning of August, prolonged downpours have been causing flooding and landslides in multiple areas of the locality. 

The rainfall recorded during this period was usually between 50-100mm, but rose to more than 100mm in several locations. 

The steering committee required that response teams be on duty 24/7 and closely follow the weather forecast, rainfall and erosion warnings, while also ensuring safety at dams and reservoirs. 

They must also regularly survey the areas at risk and proactively prepare plans for different scenarios. 

Local steering committees for natural disaster prevention and control, search and rescue in Bù Đăng, Bù Gia Mập districts, Phước Long Commune and at hydropower plants must stay vigilant and coordinate with military and police units in the area to promptly provide assistance to the people in case of emergency. 

Heavy rain submerged parts of Đức Phong Town on July 27, while the wind blew off the roof of three houses and toppled multiple trees and power poles in Đồng Xoài City on July 28. 

The significant rainfall eroded a soil mass of 10,000 cubic metres along 400m of Dốc Khỉ route in Đăng Hà Commune on July 30-31. 

On the morning of August 10, signs of subsidence and erosion were reported on the routes within Thác Mơ Hydropower Plant. 

Bình Phước Province currently has 62 dams and reservoirs that have been in use for 15 to 20 years. 

In August last year, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control conducted a survey in the province and reported that several reservoirs have been degrading and are deemed unsafe. 

Among these, reservoirs NT2 Đ7 in Bù Gia Mập District and Ông Thoại in Bù Đăng District have shown signs of leakage along the dam, while 10 other reservoirs require repair and upgrade. — VNS