Shrimp farmers in Nghe An are worried because the dike to prevent saltwater intrusion is seriously eroding.

With more than 1 hectare of shrimp farming adjacent to Mai Giang river, Mr. Ho Dinh Tai (Hoc Van hamlet, Quynh Bang, Quynh Luu) released more than 900,000 white-leg shrimp this season. Thanks to proper care, the shrimp grew well, and the family only has to wait more than 1 month before they can harvest.

However, Mr. Tai cannot help but worry when the flood season has come and the sea dike of Mai Giang River is in a state of serious erosion. If heavy rains combine with rising water, the shrimp farming area of ​​his family and many neighboring households may be flooded with salt water, causing damage of up to tens of billions of dong.

Many key sections of the Mai Giang sea breakwater have suffered serious erosion. Photo: Quynh Thanh

Pointing to a landslide section of more than 20m long at Mai Giang dike, Mr. Tai said: “The river bank erosion has been happening for many years, causing many households living and raising aquatic products right next to the dike to be very worried. If the water overflows, all the shrimp and fish in the lake will be swept away. Not only that, rising floodwaters carry waste, dirt and pathogens that seep deep into the soil, polluting the shrimp farming area. White-leg shrimp are very susceptible to disease, so many households have to suffer the death of shrimp larvae as soon as they are released.

Every year, when the rainy season comes, the river water rises, causing the dike to erode even more. Not to mention, the seawater sluice gate, a few dozen meters away from the eroded sections, has been broken for several years. Therefore, water regulation during heavy rains and high tides is ineffective.

Faced with that situation, the commune government and people had to repair it themselves by driving stakes and inserting sandbags. But after a short time, everything went back to the way it was."

The eroded dykes were reinforced very temporarily. Photo: Quynh Thanh

Referring to the above issue, Mr. Ho Nghia Dung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Bang Commune, said: "The length of Mai Giang River through Quynh Bang Commune is nearly 3.2 km, located in the industrial shrimp farming area. After the storm in 2017, many sections of the dike were eroded, including 3 weak points passing through the areas of 3 hamlets: Hoc Van, Mai Giang 1 and Mai Giang 2.

In addition to landslides, the dike also has many overflow points with a length of up to 1,000m.

If heavy rain continues and high tides rise, it could flood 180 hectares, including 100 hectares of shrimp farming area and 80 hectares of residential areas.

The seawater sluice gate across Mai Giang dike has been broken for several years now. Photo: Quynh Thanh

It is known that to overcome the above situation, the Provincial People's Committee has recently allocated 100 million VND from the budget to support the district and commune to overcome landslides at 3 weak points of the Mai Giang dike passing through Quynh Bang commune.

However, the remaining points of the dike still pose many risks when affected by flood flow and tidal force.

In addition, the overflow points with a length of more than 1,000m are also a concern for the aquaculture area of ​​the people when the height of the wave-prevention dyke is still low compared to the rising tide. If not promptly remedied, it can cause great damage to people's lives.