LongAn (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Long An will build erosionprevention works along rivers to protect locals' properties and safety, the provincialPeople's Committee has said.

Oneof the new erosion prevention projects is a 700 metre embankment along  Bao Dinh river in Tan An city.

Constructionon the project, which costs 56 billion VND (nearly 2.4 million USD), will beginthis year. The project will prevent erosion and flooding, and improveenvironmental protection when completed in 2022.

Theprovince will also speed up construction of ongoing erosion prevention projectsthis year, including one along Can Giuoc river being built in Can Giuoc townand Long Chau commune in Can Giuoc district. The project costs a total of 280billion VND (11.9 million USD) and is expected to be completed by the end ofthis year.

Lastyear, the province announced an erosion emergency of 2,400 metres long alongthe Can Giuoc river in Can Giuoc town and Long Chau commune.

Manyerosion cases along rivers this year have occurred because of drought and heat,which have caused low water levels as well as cracks on soil embankments alongrivers.

InTan Tru district, four large erosion cases occurred along Nhut Tao irrigationsystem in February and March. They covered a total length of more than 210metres along rivers in Binh Trinh Dong, Lac Tan, Que My Thanh and Nhut Ninhcommunes.

Ofthe four cases, one occurred at Vam Co Tay river in Nhut Ninh commune, erodingmore than 100 metres of the river bank.

VoKim Thuan, head of the province’s Irrigation and Rural DevelopmentSub-department, said erosion along rivers in the Nhut Tao irrigation systemwill continue after heavy rains, and if the water levels of the rivers remainlow.

Theprovincial People’s Committee has asked the Department of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment to work with relevant departments and agencies to set up erosionprevention plans to ensure the safety and property of locals./.