The Lo Gach River dike, over 8 km long and costing 14,3 billion VND, was invested by the Center for Irrigation and Clean Water (Tay Ninh Department of Agriculture and Environment). Construction began in 2/2015 and was completed in late March this year, but has not yet been accepted.

On the morning of 12/4, numerous cracks appeared on the dike body. Local authorities cordoned off both ends of the affected area. On the same day, a 70 m long, 5 m wide asphalt road section experienced subsidence, with the deepest point approximately 2 m. Many asphalt and broken rock fragments were dislodged.

The incident forced oto to detour over 3 km, while moto temporarily used the land adjacent to the dike. Several water pipes broke, and the construction unit used excavators to dig and reconnect them.

The dike's location on weak soil, combined with high floodwaters saturating its body, caused the damage. As river levels dropped in the dry season, subsidence occurred. Currently, cracks approximately one meter deep threaten nearby areas.

Approximately 90 km away, a section of the Phu An riverside dike-road, over 70 m long, in Hamlet 2, Binh Phu commune, Dong Thap province, also experienced landslides and collapsed into the river.

This incident occurred during the dry season, marked by saline intrusion, and high tides could threaten 500 hectares of durian farms inland.

The landslide destroyed a fence and gate, tens of meters long and valued at approximately 50 million VND, belonging to Nguyen Van Hung (62).

The landslide encroached upon house foundations. Authorities assisted five of six affected households with relocation. The dike section, over 4 m wide and more than 5 m deep at its lowest point, impacts the commute of approximately 1,000 households.

In Ca Mau, the Dong Hung canal road in Cai Nuoc commune also saw multiple landslide spots in mid-April. The longest section, approximately 30 m long, 4,5 m wide, and over one meter deep, cut off traffic. Landslides also occurred in Tran Van Thoi commune, creating deep, multi-meter holes that endanger commuters. Local residents and authorities have filled the holes with soil and used wooden barriers, but many road surfaces remain cracked, posing further landslide risks.

The landslide site along the Dong Hung canal road in Cai Nuoc commune has been reinforced with wooden piles, and authorities have posted signs prohibiting four-wheeled vehicles.

By Hoang Nam - Chuc Ly