Bac Lieu (VNA) - Households in theMekong Delta province of Bac Lieu facing risks of ​losing their houses to the river have been relocatedto safer ground, local authorities have announced.

Residents reported that at least six houseslocated along riverbanks in Gia Rai district’s Ward No 1 were victims of land erosion in the last three days.

Subsidence and cracks have occurred inthese houses’ walls, they said.

Early morning on June 27, local residentsreported that they were awoken by a cacophony of noise coming from the back oftheir homes. They got out of bed and found that their houses were slowlysinking into the river.

Prolonged heavy rain over the past days hasweakened ground, causing landslides in some areas of the region.

Pham Thi Dieu, Secretary of the Ward No 1’sParty organisation, said local authorities have joined hands to help residentsmove their belongings and evacuate them to safe places.

Households living in dangerous areas havebeen encouraged to dismantle their houses and move their properties to safety.Many are temporarily staying in relatives’ homes. Some have temporarily sleptin schools, Dieu said.

Local authorities are continuing to preparepreventive measures, she said.

Locals have been asked to limit buildinghouses near riverbanks and canals and to actively monitor signs of pendinglandslides.

In the long term, the localities willimplement specific solutions such as building embankments to prevent ​erosion or relocating people to other places with supportive funds to build new houses.

From now to the end of the year, it isestimated that the province will face a high risk of erosion due to thecoming rainy season. Locals must be vigilant in order to avoid damage to peopleand property, the authorities said.-VNA