Quynh Luu accelerates progress on projects to combat saltwater intrusion.

Line upgrade projectMo River dikeThe section passing through coastal communes including Quynh Bang, Quynh Luong, Quynh Minh, and Quynh Nghia in Quynh Luu district, invested by the Department of Planning and Investment of Nghe An province, was started construction at the end of 2021 with the task of preventing saltwater intrusion into the mainland.

Leaders of Quynh Luu district inspect the progress and quality of projects to combat saltwater intrusion. Photo: Nhu Thuy.

According to the design, the construction route is nearly 5km long; the embankment is built to an elevation of 3.5m; the width of the embankment surface is 5m, combined with a road for traffic; the structure is made of 20cm thick concrete. The embankment slope is reinforced and protected with 30cm thick dry-laid rubble stone. This is a project with a large volume of excavation and embankment and the construction of many new drainage culverts to protect more than 600 hectares of land for vegetable production and aquaculture in 4 coastal communes. To ensure the project's progress, the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district has directed the communes through which the project passes to do a good job of propaganda and land clearance.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tue, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luong commune, stated that the completion of the Mo River dike upgrade project will address the erosion and saltwater intrusion from the river into residential areas, vegetable and crop production areas, and shrimp farming areas. Therefore, Quynh Luong commune is very interested in the project, and the people are very supportive of land clearance to facilitate the construction unit in accelerating progress.

The construction unit is concentrating machinery on the project to resurface the Mơ River dike to prevent flooding. Photo: Như Thủy

Determining the importance of the Mo River dike upgrade project is crucial not only for flood control.saltwater intrusionThis project not only covers hundreds of hectares of agricultural land but also ensures the safety and well-being of over 4,000 households located near the coast. Therefore, after the pandemic stabilized, the construction unit mobilized manpower for overtime work and concentrated various types of machinery to accelerate the construction progress. To date, according to the construction unit's representative, 70% of the work has been completed, striving to finish ahead of the deadline set by the Provincial People's Committee.

Quynh Luu district has approximately 1,000 hectares of agricultural land and aquaculture areas surrounding major rivers. Recently, due to the impact of climate change, tidal surges have increased by several centimeters each year, causing seawater intrusion into the land, affecting vegetable production and brackish water shrimp farming.

Workers reinforce the Mơ River dike with dry-stacked boulders. Photo: Như Thủy.

To address salinization and prevent freshwater shortages in coastal areas, from 2020 to 2022, four key projects were implemented in the district: the dredging and upgrading of Lach Quen fishing port in Tien Thuy commune; upgrading the Mo River dike and constructing a seawater supply system for industrial shrimp farming according to VietGAP standards; and the construction of seawalls and coastal protection in Quynh Bang commune.

All these projects ensure the role of preventing saltwater intrusion and preserving freshwater during high tides, while also serving as a flood drainage system to prevent erosion of river dikes during heavy rainfall, thereby ensuring the safety of hundreds of households living on both sides of the dike.

Construction workers are concentrating their machinery on the expansion of the Mơ River dike to prevent flooding. Photo: Như Thủy

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh - Vice Chairman of the People's CommitteeQuynh Luu districtAccording to the report: In order to complete key projects in time before the rainy season, the District People's Committee has directed the Project Management Board and specialized departments to focus on land clearance, prioritizing key projects and critical sea and river dike projects.

At the same time, construction units are required to actively participate, concentrating machinery and manpower.expedite construction progressSimultaneously, in coordination with the consulting and supervision unit, we will focus on effectively managing the quality of the construction projects according to the approved technical requirements, striving to complete and put the projects into operation in 2022.