An Giang declares emergency over repeated canal erosion

The Cai San Canal in An Giang province’s Long Xuyen City (Photo: VNA)

On May 25, the Cai San Canal had suffered erosion and subsidence along a 175-metre stretch at Cai San Market and a residential area, which affected 39 houses on stilts along it.

It was the fourth time since 2019 this particular section between the Nam Su Canal and Sau Ba Ditch had suffered from erosion or subsidence or both.

Truong Kien Tho, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said, “The erosion in the section [is likely] to worsen” and affect a 2,300-metre section from the mouth of the Hau River to the My Thanh ward.

The cause has been tentatively identified as strong water flows the along a bend and heavy waterway traffic, he said.

Rice mills dot the canal bank in Can Tho city’s Thot Not district, attracting many boats, and they create strong waves that slam into the canal bank on the An Giang side, causing erosion.

The People’s Committee has instructed the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to identify erosion-prone areas and set up safe corridors around the area.  

Tran Anh Thu, Vice Cairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said Long Xuyen has been ordered to install warning boards and set up barriers to prevent people and vehicles from entering the eroded area, closely monitor the erosion and ensure safety.

It has been told to immediately draft a plan to check the erosion and submit to the People’s Committee for approval, he added.

The city is encouraging people to move out of dangerously eroded and erosion-prone areas./.

VNA