BTO- The level of coastal erosion in the shorelines of Phan Thiet city has seriously increased, posing certain threat to lives of local residents and their homes. Since 2013, coastal erosion has resulted in the collapse of 81 houses. In January, 2016 only, high tides and raging waves have approached the stretch of 1,000 meters in coastal residential areas of Tien Duc hamlet-Tien Thanh commune, causing the collapse of 18 houses and evacuation of 12 households who are suffered from danger and losing their houses. In the 5th quarter of Duc Long ward, 10 fourth level houses and 120 households directly affected and another 12 must be evacuated. The total length of damaged coastline is estimated at 100 meters with a total loss of more than VND 3 billion.
To cope with heavy erosion, authorities of Tien Thanh Commnue and local people have placed over 50,000 sand bags and numerous wooden stakes to prevent seawater from damaging the remaining houses and reinforce 700 meters of coastline. However, hundred of sand bags have been swept away due to strong waves, and high tides are threatening to ravage the vulnerable coastline. It is dangerous for people to sleep in houses which are at risk of being collapsed at any time.
Phuong Lan (Source: Binh Thuan Newspaper)