BẠC LIÊU — Two sea dykes in Bạc Liêu Province were damaged on Tuesday and Wednesday, threatening thousands of people living in the area, according to the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

A 24-metre section of the Nhà Mát Sea Dyke in Bạc Liêu City along Nhà Mát Beach near Nhà Mát Border Office has been damaged several times since the beginning of the year.

Trần Trung Lực, a resident in the city’s Nhà Mát Ward, said “I’ve lived here more than two years. We’re very afraid of huge waves that could endanger our lives. I haven’t slept in the last few days.”

Other cracked sections of the dyke could collapse at any time if there are huge waves and powerful winds in coming day.

Leaders of the province and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development visited the area recently to offer assistance at the Nhà Mát Sea Dyke.

In Gành Hào Town, an 870-sq.m area at the Gành Hào Sea Dyke has eroded.

Dương Thành Trung, chairman of the province’s People’s Committee, said the breaching of the dykes had become more serious because of climate change and rising sea water levels.

Provincial authorities and scientists have told local agencies to warn residents to permanently relocate, if necessary, he said.

Solutions

The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Bạc Liêu on Wednesday held a meeting with leaders of Government agencies and representatives of the Southern Irrigation Science Institute to discuss measures to protect the dykes.

Trung of the province’s People’s Committee proposed that agencies focus on a treatment plan to handle incidents and protect residents’ life and property. 

A representative of the Southern Irrigation Science Institute said a construction plan could repair the damaged section of the Gành Hào Dyke. Reinforced concrete columns could be used on the section, and breakwaters should be rebuilt. 

In addition, Tetrapods, building components of concrete blocks, could be used to repair the damaged section of the dyke.

Representatives of other agencies asked the Southern Irrigation Science Institute to propose solutions to ensure the safety of construction work and workers, and arrange materials and construction sites. 

Trung said he supported the plan using Tetrapods and asked the institute to submit a more detailed plan on the technical requirements and needs to repair the Gành Hào Sea Dyke, and to begin work promptly and efficiently.

He also asked the institute to conduct research on how to repair and protect the Nhà Mát Sea Dyke.

Lê Hoàng Tùng, deputy director of the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said Bạc Liêu would require VNĐ250 billion (US$11million) to repair and rebuild the sea dykes. — VNS