Vietnam reports irrigation damage in Bac Ninh and forest encroachment in Ca Mau

In Bac Ninh Province, heavy rainfall caused a landslide and the collapse of over 100 meters of a newly constructed irrigation canal wall in Hoang Van Commune. The incident occurred during the repair and upgrade of a 2km irrigation system designed to serve 100 hectares of agricultural land. Local authorities stated that the collapse was caused by heavy rain on September 15 and 16, which created water and soil saturation that exerted pressure on the walls. The contractor, Binh An BG Construction Co., Ltd., is working to repair the damage by rebuilding the walls and adding connecting braces and drainage holes to mitigate future pressure. Officials confirmed that the repairs will not increase project costs and the project remains on schedule.

In Ca Mau Province, authorities are addressing an environmental issue in Khanh An Commune where approximately 70 households have been illegally introducing saltwater into forest areas for shrimp farming. This practice has affected roughly 196 hectares, impacting the local ecosystem and forest protection efforts. The unauthorized use of pipelines to transport saltwater from the Xang Minh Ha canal has persisted since 2008. While local authorities have conducted inspections and propaganda efforts, resolving the issue remains difficult due to the livelihoods of the residents involved. The provincial government has ordered the formation of specialized inspection teams to document violations and is seeking solutions to balance local livelihoods with forest and biodiversity protection.