From September 6 to 12, heavy rains caused widespread flooding in Thai Nguyen province. This was a historic flood in Thai Nguyen province when the water level of the Cau River peaked at 2,881cm, 67cm higher than the historical level in 1959.
Currently, the water level has dropped, but many people in Nha Long commune (Phu Binh district) are still worried. A part of the area near the riverbank in Thanh Dam hamlet has been seriously eroded. Heavy rain for a long time, the water level often rises and falls, making people extremely insecure and worried.
Ms. Duong Thi Tham (Thanh Dam hamlet, Nha Long commune) said that in history, she had never witnessed such a serious landslide. Her family lives close to the Cau River, so she is very worried about her life and property, and hopes that there will be a plan to ensure the safety of the people.
“In the 50 years I have lived here, there has never been such a situation of riverbank erosion. The erosion has now eaten deep into the family’s land area. When the Cau River rises, the erosion becomes more serious. We don’t know when our houses will be swept away into the river.
A stretch of the riverbank in Thanh Dam hamlet has been eroded for tens of meters. With such erratic rain and flooding, people do not know what to do. The recent historic flood made everyone extremely worried. Now the flood has passed, but the worries remain," Ms. Tham worried.
According to Ms. Tham, she hopes that there will soon be a plan to support people living along the river. Many families have built houses but still live in fear. More than a month ago, dozens of households around here had to evacuate and stay with others when there were signs of landslides.
Sharing the same sentiment, Ms. Duong Thi Loan (Thanh Dam hamlet, Nha Long commune) said that the recent flood has made the landslide situation on the Cau riverbank even more serious. Currently, some of her family's outbuildings cannot be used because they are located too close to the riverbank.
According to Ms. Loan, when the signs of landslides first appeared, everyone was evacuated. However, without a definitive solution, people still have to live in fear and anxiety. Currently, the landslide on the edge of the Cau River in Thanh Dam hamlet has extended for dozens of meters, eating deep into the bank.
“The flood is over now, the water level of Cau River has receded a lot, but the worry is still there. I hope the authorities will soon come up with a plan. If we continue to stay here, we must build a embankment on the riverbank to ensure safety,” said Ms. Loan.
Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Van Manh - Vice Chairman of Nha Long Commune People's Committee - said that in Thanh Dam hamlet, there are currently about 6 households directly affected by the landslide. Along the riverbank area, there are 18 more households in the danger zone.
“The local authorities have cordoned off the landslide area and posted warning and prohibition signs. They have also mobilized forces to be on duty 24/7 to ensure safety. All levels are currently considering embanking the landslide area to completely resolve this situation,” the leader added.
