Soldiers are mobilised to protect the sea dyke from landslides and rising tides in southernmost Cà Mau Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Thế Anh

CÀ MAU — The People's Committee of the southernmost province of Cà Mau has proposed the Government spend VNĐ524 billion (US$22.5 million) to upgrade the sea dyke on its west coast to combat rising tides and landslides, which are seriously affecting local people.

The sea dyke is 23.52km long, connecting Đốc River in Trần Văn Thời District to Cái Đôi Vàm in Phú Tân District.

Cà Mau has more than 250km of coast. Of that, the western coast accounts for about 108km.

A 94km-long sea dyke was built to protect the coast in the storm season. However, strong tides and waves in the past several years have caused landslides, leading to the loss of farmland and houses.

About 57km of the western coast has suffered landslides, and the sea dyke is at high risk of damage.

Nguyễn Long Hoài, chief secretariat of the provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, said the proposed dyke section was built in 1999 and was seriously deteriorated.

The dyke suffered from subsidence. Meanwhile, the dyke’s surface was used as a road. This posed risks of safety for people.

On August 3, the tide and heavy rainfall caused landslides along 2.1km of the sea dyke on its western coast.

At least 26,000 households would be affected if the sea dyke was damaged, he said.

Lê Văn Sử, vice chairman of the provincial People's Committee agreed, adding that the consolidation of the dyke section was urgent. — VNS