Mekong Delta faces increased risk of landslides as sediment loss continues
Every year, 55 million tons of sediment is lost from the rivers in Mekong Delta, 90 percent of which is sand. Nguyen Huu Thien, an independent expert, said the Mekong Delta has been taking shape for the last 6,000 years thanks to alluvial accretion. But the volume of sediment in the river and canal system has decreased gradually, leading to an increased risk of landslides. The coastal provinces in the western part of the southern region are also directly affected by the change. The alluvium from river mouths to the sea has the function of protecting the coast, easing the impact from waves hitting the coast. When there is not enough silt, the sea water will cause erosion. Therefore, according to Thien, it is necessary to re-establish control over land exploitation to prevent the loss of natural resources.
