An area eroded by the Vàm Cỏ Tây River in Kiến Tường Town in Long An Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Bình

LONG AN — The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Long An plans more erosion-prevention works along major rivers and canals to protect people’s lives and properties.

They include embankments of 1.9km, 1.6km and 1.2km along the Vàm Cỏ Đông, Bảo Định and Vàm Cỏ Tây rivers in thickly populated areas impacted by climate change.

The three are expected to cost VNĐ720 billion (US$31 million) and will be built in 2022 - 24, according to the province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Besides embankments, the projects will also include infrastructure near them such as roads, pavements, sluices, and lighting. 

Last month erosion damaged 60 metres of road along a bank of the Vàm Cỏ Tây River in Vĩnh Hưng District’s Tuyên Bình Tây Commune and a nearby bridge.

Part of the inter-commune road connecting Tuyên Bình Tây and Vĩnh Bình communes subsided by five metres.

The Vàm Cỏ Tây, one of the largest rivers in the province, has severely eroded its banks in a number of places due to strong flows and high flooding levels, sand mining and agricultural production along it. — VNS