Anxious during landslide season

As the first rains of the season begin to fall, the people of Tan An commune, a riverside area, enter another season of anxiety and worry. Having saved and scrimped their whole lives to build their homes, many families now helplessly watch their possessions being swept away by the river in just a few short minutes.

• Ca Mau needs over 3.2 trillion VND for emergency response to coastal erosion in the East Sea.
• Three landslides occurred in quick succession during the night.
• Tan An commune provides emergency assistance to 3 households affected by landslides.
• Landslides are increasing in Nam Can and Dam Doi.

Horrifying memories of the night

In just three days, from June 16th to 18th, Tan An commune experienced seven serious landslides. The deep erosion along the riverbanks swept away seven houses belonging to residents in Dinh Cu, Cho Thu, and Voi Vam hamlets, causing estimated damages of hundreds of millions of dong.

Landslides often occur at night. Underwater cavities silently erode the riverbanks, and when the water recedes, the resulting pressure difference causes landslides, pulling entire blocks of land and houses down into the river.

The scene of the riverside landslide in Voi Vam hamlet, Tan An commune, shows that two houses belonging to local residents were completely destroyed.

Still reeling from her miraculous escape, Mrs. Huynh Kim Giang, a resident of Dinh Cu hamlet, recounted with fear: “Around midnight on June 17th, the house suddenly collapsed. It was pitch dark, but luckily, neighbors quickly shone flashlights and helped me crawl out. Standing on the bank, my hands and feet trembled with fear. Fortunately, the water was shallow at that time; if it had been high and the current strong, I probably wouldn't have survived.”

The family of Ms. Chung Thi Be, from Voi Vam hamlet, also lost everything in just a few minutes. Ms. Be choked back tears: “On the night of June 18th, we heard a very loud bang and knew immediately that our house was collapsing. Everything happened so quickly; the family only managed to grab a few clothes to escape, while all our belongings and possessions accumulated over the years were swept away by the floodwaters.”

With the onset of the rainy season, the situation of riverbank erosion in Tan An commune is becoming increasingly complex.

Landslides have become a constant nightmare for hundreds of households living along the rivers in Tan An. Every night, instead of sleeping peacefully, many people have to stay awake, listening for any unusual noises, fearing that the ground beneath their feet could collapse at any moment.

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Despite knowing the imminent danger, the villagers cannot leave. Because of their livelihoods and their long-standing tradition of living near the river, they have to accept living with the risk of landslides.

Having lived on this land for nearly half his life, Mr. Pham Van Hai, residing in Voi Vam hamlet, shared with bitterness: “I have lived here since 1990 and witnessed countless landslides. On the night of June 18th, I heard my house shaking, and I only had time to run outside before helplessly watching my house tilt and collapse with the landslide. I built this house hoping to have a stable life and a long-term livelihood on this land, but now that the land has eroded like this, I will probably have to move further into the canal area; I don't dare take the risk anymore.”

We need solutions for long-term housing.

Chairman of Tan An Commune People's Committee Nguyen Bac Ai inspects the current situation of the landslide area in Voi Vam hamlet.

Immediately after the successive landslides occurred, local leaders quickly arrived at the scene to visit, encourage, and support the people in overcoming the consequences.

Mr. Nguyen Bac Ai, Chairman of the Tan An Commune People's Committee, said: "The leaders of the Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and the Fatherland Front Committee of the commune have promptly visited, encouraged, and provided some financial support to help people overcome the immediate difficulties and quickly stabilize their lives and production."

The local police and militia forces assisted residents in collecting their belongings after the landslide.

Currently, the rainy season is at its peak, which also significantly increases the risk of riverbank erosion. In light of this situation, the local authorities are continuing to intensify public awareness campaigns and place warning signs in vulnerable areas to improve preventive measures and minimize damage to property and, most importantly, to the lives of residents.

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However, solutions such as emergency assistance or public awareness campaigns only address the immediate difficulties. In the long term, to fundamentally resolve the "erosion" concerns, hundreds of riverside households in Tan An urgently need more sustainable policies from all levels and sectors.

A safe residential area plan, a stable place to live where people can truly "settle down and make a living," will be a long-term solution, helping them no longer have to live in anxiety every rainy season.

Chi Hieu

Source: https://baocamau.vn/thap-thom-mua-sat-lo-a129913.html