Coastal erosion threatens people’s living in Binh Thuan

In the shoreline of Tien Duc hamlet (Tien Thanh commune), two powerful typhoons in 2017 completely destroyed the sea dykes  and many houses while many others  have been gradually eroded by tides.Residents in the coastline express deep concern about the increasing erosion and sea water intrusion.

According to Mr. Tran Phuong Thanh, 5 years ago today, the sea was seen 50 meters away from his home. But after many times of flood tides and tropical depressions, the sea water has quickly intruded inwards, and the houses of his family and neighboring households were utterly collapsed by raging storms, leaving a devastating area. Due to high tides and waves, hundreds of coast-dwellers have been uprooted because  their homes and properties were swept away by the tides.

Meanwhile, other coastal areas like Thanh Hai ward and Hon Rom (Mui Ne), where many resorts and tourism spots are located, have also faced the same reality. In Bien Cat-Hon Rom tourist site, a mid-night land of powerful waves completely destroyed its restaurant area, leaving a total loss of nearly VND 200 million. Located not far from this site, Thien Ha resort also underwent huge damage from the natural disasters caused by climate change. They expressed strong hope that embarkment system would be built to cope with coastal erosion and high sea level. Crashing waves have eroded the coastal road from Muine to Bau Trang and damaged sewage system, leading to leakage of wastewater and stinking smell. Functional units have temporarily dealed with the problem but it needs a long-term solution with the increasing threat of raging waves.

With serious damage from high waves and coastal erosion, local authorities have taken measures to assist affected people. However,  sure and conrete solutions are needed for people living in vulnerable areas to basically deal with a high density of devastated typhoons and other natural disasters following global warming caused by climate change.

 Phuong Lan(Source: Binhthuan Online)