(Baonghean.vn) - The encroachment on the Nam Mo River for construction purposes is a pressing issue in Ky Son district. If left unchecked, this will lead to unforeseen consequences and affect the safety of the people.
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| The Nam Mo River originates in Laos, flows into Vietnam through the border district of Ky Son, then down to Tuong Duong, merging with the Nam Non River at the Cua Rao junction (Xa Luong commune, Tuong Duong district). (In the photo: The Nam Mo River section passing through Muong Xen town (Ky Son).) |
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| Currently, it is the dry season, and the water level of the Nam Mo River is low. Taking advantage of this, some households are dumping soil to reclaim land from the river to build houses or shops. This situation narrows the riverbed, alters the flow, and poses a danger during the rainy season and floods. |
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| The filling and encroachment on riverbanks is taking place openly, with many instances occurring on a fairly large scale, using various types of heavy machinery to excavate and dump soil. The photo shows an encroachment site in Ta Ca commune. |
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| Soil is being extracted from the mountain slopes and then transported and dumped along the riverbank. Speaking with reporters, Mr. Lau Ba Tenh, Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ky Son district, acknowledged that the riverbank leveling for construction purposes is illegal and violates state regulations. |
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| According to Mr. Lau Ba Tenh, relevant agencies have repeatedly inspected and warned individuals violating regulations, but they have still been unable to stop the encroachment on the riverbank for construction. |
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| In some sections, the riverbank has been encroached upon by 3-4 meters, narrowing the riverbed and posing a hazard during the rainy season and floods. In 2011, a historic flash flood occurred, causing significant property damage to the local population. |
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| More soil and rocks continue to be dumped, encroaching on the riverbed. |
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| Many households encroaching on the riverbanks even use solid materials (bricks, stones) which are construction waste, to fill them in. |
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| Waste reinforced concrete is also transported to fill in the riverbanks. |
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| During the recent rainy season, several locations along the banks of the Nam Mo River experienced landslides, including a point near the base of the newly completed concrete bridge that had only recently been put into use. |
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| Following the devastating floods of 2011, Ky Son district implemented a project to construct an embankment to prevent erosion along the Nam Mo River, from Tam Bridge (Ta Ca commune) to the concrete bridge in Block 4, Muong Xen town, spanning nearly 2km. The project, with an investment of nearly 140 billion VND from government bonds, commenced in 2013 but remains unfinished. If the ongoing riverbank reclamation and land filling on the left bank is not thoroughly addressed and prevented, the embankment under construction will be swept away during the rainy season. |
Ho Phuong - Tuong Anh
