I used to be nervous every time the tide came.
Recalling the time when the tide rose high in previous years, Ms. Le Thi My Loan - a resident of Con Son (Bui Huu Nghia ward, Binh Thuy district, Can Tho city) - shared that that was the time when she could not sleep peacefully.
“Before this dike was built, every time the tide reached its peak, I could hardly sleep at night. I was always anxious, checking from place to place, and if there was anything unusual, I had to immediately report it to the local authorities and everyone around so that it could be quickly fixed,” Ms. Loan recounted.
According to Ms. Loan, when the water level rises, her family’s life and production activities are greatly affected. Water floods her family’s orchard, causing loss and damage to productivity.
With his main job being agricultural production, Mr. Phan Van Cu - a resident of Con Son (Bui Huu Nghia ward, Binh Thuy district, Can Tho city) - said that when there was no new dike, people often worried and struggled every time the tide rose.
“A few years ago, there was no dike. When the water level rose, the locals and I had to constantly keep watch and work together to build the dike to prevent water from flooding in. At that time, everyone had a hard time, and could not bear it because everything had to be done manually, without machinery and without the solidity of the current dike,” said Mr. Cu.
Joy on the new dike
This year, the tide is higher than usual, but Ms. Loan feels more secure because new dike sections have been invested in and built.
“Everyone is hoping that the dike will be completed soon. Then I will have nothing to worry about, I can work with peace of mind, and sleep better at night,” Ms. Loan said excitedly.
Sharing the same joy, Mr. Cu said that the dike was not 100% completed but had been somewhat effective. The rising water did not affect people's lives and production.
“Living on the islet with this dike, we feel more secure, no matter how high the water rises, we no longer have to worry. Hopefully, the stages of the dike will be completed soon so that travel will be easier and people can live in peace,” Mr. Cu confided.
Mr. Mai Hong Su - Head of Area 1, Con Son (Bui Huu Nghia Ward, Binh Thuy District, Can Tho City) - informed that with the terrain characteristics located in the middle of Hau River, when the high tide reaches its peak, the people of Con Son cannot help but worry.
This year, with the attention of leaders at all levels, from wards, districts and cities, investing in the Con Son area in dikes and embankments, the people are very excited and fully cooperate. The dikes and embankments have been put into construction. When completed, they will contribute to flood prevention, landslide prevention, ensuring the lives as well as tourism business activities, and protecting fruit gardens for people on the islet.
Mr. Su added that, through surveys, up to this point, the area still has 3 points at risk of landslides. After the project is completed, the People's Committee of the area and local leaders will review the vulnerable points and put them into construction in 2025.
While the vulnerable points have not been reinforced, the local people's committee also regularly monitors, grasps the situation and propagates to people to be vigilant and ready to respond when an incident occurs.
