Vietnam: Mekong Dredging to Reduce Flooding Risk

 Viet Nam News Provincial authorities in Mekong have taken measures to improve safety for people, crops and other properties during the 2012 flooding season, reports  Viet Nam News.

An Giang Province has invested VND160 billion (US$7.65 million) in dredging irrigation networks to protect over 125,000 hectares under the autumn-winter rice crop and 24,000 hectares under other crops.

The provincial steering committee for preventing and fighting natural disasters like floods and storms has evacuated residents from flood-prone areas to safety, strenthened shelters for children and set up rescue teams.

The An Giang People’s Committee has asked the Government to provide USD 14.3 million to build and upgrade flood-fighting facilities.

In Thanh Binh District’s Tan Binh Commune, 366 households need to be evacuated as soon as possible. Several other districts have said they do not have more land to resettle households affected by landslides.

More than 100 new landslide-prone points have been found along Tien and Hau rivers in Dong Thap since the last flood season.

In response, the Dong Thap People’s Committee has asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide VND330 billion ($15.8 million) to develop five “flood-free clusters” for resettling residents.

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Dredging Today Staff, June 18, 2012