Final episode: What is the solution to prevent and combat landslides sustainably?

ĐTO - Riverbank erosion is always a concern for local authorities and thousands of households living along the river. Like many other localities in the Mekong Delta, Dong Thap has been making efforts to prevent, combat and overcome the consequences of landslides. However, this is not only a problem of the authorities but requires the cooperation of the community, especially from the people themselves.

Part 1: "Landslide - Coming Back As Scheduled"

Dong Thap provincial leaders survey to find solutions to overcome landslides in Tan Quoi commune, Thanh Binh district (Photo taken in November 2024)

Landslides are not only caused by natural disasters.

Landslides are not only caused by natural disasters but also by intentional or unintentional human actions. Illegal sand mining takes place secretly on riverbeds, causing serious erosion. On the banks, houses are built encroaching on and filling up river banks. According to a 2022 survey, Dong Thap province has 45,000 cases of houses and constructions encroaching on rivers, canals and ditches. This number may increase by now and this is also a factor that makes landslides increasingly serious.

Tan Quoi commune authorities support people to relocate their houses.

Mr. Huynh Minh Duong - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dong Thap province, said: "The main cause of landslides is the impact of water flow on weak geological foundations, changes in sand dune flow, combined with climate change and reduced alluvium from upstream, which are making the landslide situation worse."

Although the provincial government has tightened management of sand mining within the prescribed scope. However, illegal sand mining activities still occur in many sophisticated forms. Some subjects take advantage of digging fish ponds near the riverbank to illegally mine sand at night. In just the first 2 months of 2025, Dong Thap discovered and handled 5 cases, involving 17 subjects for illegal sand mining.

Socio-political organizations of Tan Quoi commune, Thanh Binh district presented financial support to help Ms. Phan Thi Nhuy Em (left cover) overcome difficulties caused by landslides.

BIG INVESTMENT BUT MANY DIFFICULTIES STILL ARISING

To overcome the landslide situation, Dong Thap has invested hundreds of billions of VND to build 36km of anti-landslide embankments at hot spots, such as: Tien River embankment in My An Hung B commune, Tan My (Lap Vo district) to protect more than 500 households, 20 production facilities and the main route DT.848; The urgent landslide treatment project in Binh Hang Trung commune (Cao Lanh district) helps ensure the safety of more than 400 households; Ho Cu River embankment (Cao Lanh city), has completed 3 phases with a total length of 6,400m. The next 1,400m long section is being implemented, expected to help reduce the risk of landslides in densely populated areas. However, the construction progress is slow due to lack of sand, increased costs due to having to import sand from Cambodia, the site has not been cleared in time, and the contractor's capacity is limited...

Dong Thap provincial authorities are actively looking for alternatives to sand and speeding up site clearance. “We will accelerate site clearance, ensure the progress of embankment construction and look for more sustainable alternative materials,” said Huynh Minh Duong.

In addition, the province is implementing 5 projects to stabilize concentrated residential areas, with a scale of 1,833 households, costing more than 574 billion VND. These projects are still under construction.

JOIN HANDS TO PREVENT LANDSCAPES

To solve the problem of erosion in a sustainable way, in addition to the embankment project, Dong Thap province is implementing long-term measures: expanding the flow, maintaining the natural ecosystem, dredging alluvial land reasonably, regulating the flow scientifically so that the river is not "starved for alluvium", helping to stabilize the riverbank, and protecting the ecology.

Tightening management of sand mining and applying surveillance technology such as cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are also being promoted. At the same time, policies to support relocation and ensure livelihoods for resettled people are important factors to help people stabilize their lives.

Raising public awareness is an indispensable solution. People need to understand the harmful effects of encroachment and illegal sand mining; encourage participation in environmental protection and landslide prevention.

The Tien River bank in Tan Thoi Hamlet, Tan Quoi Commune, Thanh Binh District has suffered serious erosion, threatening the livelihoods of many households.

Localities need to proactively monitor landslides and develop response plans according to the motto "Four on-site" and "Three ready".

The province will continue to plan and invest in resettlement areas, mobilizing resources from the National Target Program to accelerate the relocation of households in high-risk areas. Dong Thap will also strengthen coordination between authorities at all levels, functional agencies and people in prevention and control, promote scientific research, and seek more effective technological solutions.

Only with the consensus of the community and the determination of the government can landslides be prevented and sustainably overcome.

Landslides are not only a problem of Dong Thap, but a common challenge for the entire Mekong Delta. Without a long-term solution and the cooperation of the whole society, thousands of households will continue to live in constant insecurity and the fertile land of the West will increasingly shrink.

MILLENNIUM RIVER

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/xa-hoi/ky-cuoi-giai-phap-nao-de-phong-chong-sat-lo-ben-vung--130276.aspx