QUẢNG TRỊ — The Quảng Trị Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has asked the provincial People’s Committee to allocate funds to build an erosion prevention system along the Thạch Hãn River.

The proposal was made because erosion remained commonplace in the province, threatening residents’ safety.

The system, which will be in Triệu Long Commune, Triệu Phong District, will be more than 1,360m in length and require nearly VNĐ13 billion (US$565,200) in funding.

The Thạch Hãn River, which passes through Triệu Phong Commune, was hit by serious erosion during the past few years, especially during flood seasons.

Lê Bá Hàn, 57, a local resident, said many people used to prefer living near the river because it provided access to water resources and the land was suitable for planting. However, residents have recently decided to move to other places to ensure safety.

In recent years, Quảng Trị Province invested hundreds of billions of đồng to build embankments along different rivers.

For example, the embankment along the Ô Lâu River in Hải Chánh Commune, Hải Lăng District was worth VNĐ5 billion ($217,300). The embankment along the Thạch Hãn River in Hải Lệ Commune, Quảng Trị Town, which is 1km in length, cost nearly VNĐ11 billion ($478,200). The embankment along the two sides of Hiếu River, which is 6km in length, had a total investment of VNĐ130 billion ($5.6 million). It is expected to be finished in September next year.

Nearly 119km of river bank in Quảng Trị Province was hit by erosion, affecting more than 2,360 households, nearly 600 of which are living in very dangerous areas.

Thạch Hãn, Bến Hải and Ô Lâu rivers were hit by the most serious erosion.

In the period from 2018 to 2030, the province needs about VNĐ1.6 trillion ($68.6 million) to cope with the problem. The funds will be used to build embankments, warning maps about areas facing a high risk of erosion and an alert system. — VNS