At present, there are about 2,055 landslide sites along dyke systems nationwide with a total length of more than 2,710 km, including 91 critical sites stretching over 218 km.
Recently, the dyke system has received investment and been upgraded in all key positions, especially the dykes in the upstream of the Red and Thai Binh Rivers and several important sea dykes.
However, limitations in the forecast of heavy rainfall events lead to difficulties in the management of flood prevention and ensuring dyke safety. Several dyke sections are not secured due to degradation.
In addition, the natural disasters of recent years have tended to be more extreme and are increasing in intensity and frequency, happening without any rules and causing great economic losses as well as affecting dyke safety.
In 2017, both the river and sea dyke systems were severely affected by strong storms and floods, leading to a range of incidents. Typhoon Doksuri combined with high tides caused major floods and rough seas that damaged sea dykes from Hai Phong to Thua Thien-Hue with a total length of more than 55 km.
Along with that, in mid-November, the Day, Hoang Long, and Ma Rivers suffered unusual flooding leading to 242 dyke incidents at many key sites that threatened dyke security.
The armed forces help repair an eroded dyke. (Photo: thanhnien.vn)
Localities have been urged to boost the renovation and maintenance of local dykes so as to actively minimise the damage caused by floods and storms to dyke systems during the 2018 rainy season.
Local authorities should soon finalise any construction works related to dykes before the rainy season hits and rigorously fix the dykes damaged by storms and floods last year, while working out plans for the protection of key and crucial dyke sections in the rainy and flood season this year.
At the same time, localities should mobilise all resources to take initiative in handling incidents before and during floods and storms, with plans to ensure the safety of facilities in case of incidents.
They should also step up the inspection and evaluation of the quality of works under dykes so as to detect inadequate or damaged culverts requiring temporary or permanent repair, as well as obstructions in sluice gates which fail to ensure dyke safety.
In addition, corresponding dyke protection plans should be developed to suit each dyke and each key area, in close coordination with the local armed forces and the sufficient preparation of reserve supplies for further dyke maintenance.
