At Ba Voi Temple, in Đông Anh District, the path to Cà Lồ River is fenced off. The temple is in danger of collapse due to serious subsidence impacted by local river. — Photo dantri.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — Ba Voi Temple, in Đông Anh District, Hà Nội City, one of the city's most ancient relics, is at danger of collapse due to serious subsidence impacted by a local river.

The Hà Nội City People's Committee has decided to declare a state of landslide emergency on the right bank of the Cà Lồ River’s section passing Ba Voi Temple.

Chairman of the city's People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung has assigned the city's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to be the investor, that will urgently implement the upgrade as prescribed in order to soon repair the temple and ensure safety for this historical and cultural relic.

According to many locals, at the end of last year, the phenomenon of subsidence and groundwater effervescence began to appear along the bank of Cà Lồ River.

However, in the last three months, erosion became serious, resulting in many sites next to the temple, seriously threatening the safety of the temple and visitors.

“The deepest point subsides to 2m. The shallowest point is over 1m," said Nguyễn Văn Luân, Head of Ba Voi Temple’s management board.

"Immediately discovering the subsidence, the management board sent a report to the Đông Anh District People's Committee and relevant agencies."

“We found many 3m-long cracks on the house’s wall and broken brick floor,” Luân said.

The temple has been closed and dangerous landslide warning boards were also posted at many critical points. The path to the river was carefully fenced.

The temple was built in the 11th Century, located next to Cà Lồ River. — VNS