An Giang (VNA) - A 30-metre section of Highway No 91 in theMekong Delta province of An Giang fell into the Hau River this week after thesoil underneath it eroded.

Thelandslides continue to expand, threatening the safety of dozens of localhouseholds. The road surface is now only 1m wide.

On July31 and August 1, half the highway on an 85-metre section fell into the river.

Tran AnhThu, vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said 26 householdsprone to landslides have been relocated. Sand bags were used to fill the erodedarea to prevent further erosion.

NationalHighway No 91 is the only road connecting Long Xuyen city with Chau Doc city.It is among 51 landslide spots in the province, he said.

During aworking session with local authorities on August 21, Deputy Prime MinisterTruong Hoa Binh said this is a very serious landslide, threatening lives andproperties of local people and might become worse if there are no long-termsolutions.

He orderedthe Ministry of Transport to complete construction of an alternative roadrunning through landslide spots on Highway No 91 before September 30.

The provincialPeople’s Committee used 24 billion (1.03 million USD) from the standby fund torepair the erosion and restore the highway.

AnGiang’s authorities were asked to report a financial plan to repair the erosionto the Government for approval.

Forlong-term solutions, Binh agreed with proposal to hand over the erodedhighway and alternative road to An Giang’s authorities for management.

Landerosion in An Giang is getting more serious with 51 landslide spots, affecting20,000 households. Landslides occur along the Tien, Hau and Vam Nao rivers aswell as on canals connecting with the main rivers.-VNA