A landslide along Vàm Cò Tây River in Lợi Bình Nhơn Commune in Long An Province’s Tân An City occurred last year, causing six houses to fall into the river. — VNA/VNS File Photo

 LONG AN — A new 1.2km-long embankment worth VNĐ300 billion (US$12.9 million) will be built to prevent landslides along Vàm Cỏ Tây River in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Long An next year.

Nguyễn Văn Út, chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the embankment project would help prevent further landslides caused by the impact of climate change and rising sea levels.

It will protect riverside construction sites, as well as the lives and property of people living along the river.

Funding for the project is sourced from both central and local budgets, including construction costs, consultant costs and land clearance compensation.

The new embankment will be 8m wide, running from the market in Tân An City’s Ward 2 to the new Tân An Bridge.

The project includes building a water collection and drainage system with eight sewers, nine berths, a 4m-wide separator, and a 6m-wide sidewalk.

Construction is expected to be completed by 2024.

According to the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, landslides along the rivers and canals have been increasing in recent years.

Landslides and erosion have occurred mainly in Tân Trụ, Cần Giuộc, Thủ Thừa and Thạnh Hóa districts, collapsing tens of houses and damage worth tens of billions of đồng.

Tân Trụ District has suffered from the most serious landslides, with four landslide locations near Vàm Cỏ Tây, Nhựt Tảo and Cầu Trắng rivers, and Cây Sáo Canal. — VNS