Emergency response needed to address coastal erosion threatening the East Sea dike in Can Tho.

On November 4th, after surveying the landslide area along the eastern sea dike (from sluice gate No. 13 to sluice gate No. 14) in Vinh Hai commune, Can Tho city, Vice Chairman of the Can Tho City People's Committee Tran Chi Hung requested the relevant agencies to compile a report on the situation. He also advised the City Party Committee and the City People's Committee to promptly direct the implementation of measures to address the risk of coastal erosion affecting the eastern sea dike.

Sandbags are being placed in areas of seawater intrusion to limit erosion. (Illustrative photo: Tran Le Lam/TTXVN)

According to Vice Chairman Tran Chi Hung, areas without breakwaters are showing signs of significant erosion, which will have a major impact in the long term. Investing in breakwaters to create alluvial plains will help restore mangrove forests, thereby reducing the threat to the production and livelihoods of the people.

The coastal area of ​​Can Tho city is 72 km long; of which approximately 23.4 km is predicted to be at risk of dangerous erosion. The erosion situation is becoming increasingly serious and complex, especially in areas such as Vinh Hai commune, Vinh Chau ward, Lai Hoa commune, and Vinh Phuoc ward.

The primary causes identified are the impacts of climate change, rising sea levels, large waves, and the lack of natural mangrove forests as wave barriers. Notably, many erosion areas occur even during the dry season, indicating that wave and current pressure is exceeding the self-healing capacity of the coastal ecosystem. The erosion or complete disappearance of coastal protective forests has resulted in waves directly impacting the dike system, seriously threatening the safety of the dike system, property, and the lives of the people.

Earlier, in early October 2025, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City issued a Decision declaring a state of emergency due to a natural disaster related to the coastal erosion incident in the area from sluice gate No. 13 to sluice gate No. 14, Vinh Hai commune.

In recent years, this area has suffered severe erosion, with many sections completely losing their protective mangrove forests, and sea waves and tidal surges directly threatening the dike. Strong tidal surges in early 2023 and late 2024 caused erosion and dike breaches, flooding many residential areas.

Thanks to the central government's support, in the period of 2023-2024, this area received investment in over 10 km of submerged breakwaters to reduce wave impact, proving highly effective in protecting dikes and protective mangrove forests. However, the section adjacent to sluice gate No. 13 to sluice gate No. 14 (approximately 2,400 m long) has not yet been reinforced with breakwaters. This resulted in continued erosion and dike breaches during the high tide in early 2025, causing flooding of houses and damage to approximately 3 hectares of crops and fish ponds.

Currently, there are about 20 households living outside the dike in this area, directly affected by waves and wind, posing a high risk to the safety of people and property, especially during storms or tropical depressions.

The leaders of the People's Committee of Can Tho City have requested relevant departments, agencies, and localities to focus intensely, coordinate closely, and implement comprehensive measures to respond to and urgently address the landslide situation, preventing it from spreading.

The People's Committee of Vinh Hai commune is tasked with erecting warning signs and providing timely information to residents; mobilizing forces to monitor developments, and preparing supplies and equipment to be ready to respond when adverse situations occur. At the same time, the commune government is encouraging households to relocate to safe areas and coordinating support policies as prescribed.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/khan-cap-ung-pho-sat-lo-bo-bien-de-doa-de-bien-dong-tai-can-tho-20251104164257469.htm