Reinforcing dykes that face the sea helped the northern coastal province of Nam Dinh lessen storm damage and ensure people's safety, said the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Department.

The province contains 91km of sea and estuary dykes and has reinforced 52km of them.

With a total investment of more than VND789 billion (US$38 million), the 5m-wide dykes running through Hai Hau, Giao Thuy and Nghia Hung districts were fortified with 20cm-thick cement blocks. The dyke belt also created a road along the sea.

Over the past two years, the province has planted about 38ha of trees along the embankment to serve as a natural fence, preventing waves from hitting the dykes.

The reinforcement initiative followed the Prime Minister's 2006 decision to invest in dyke embankment in 13 coastal provinces from Quang Ninh in the north to Quang Nam in the central region. This decision was issued after a heavy storm in 2005 damaged many dykes in Nam Dinh Province, resulting in heavy losses for local residents.

The purpose of the dyke reinforcing programme was to help the coastal provinces minimise damages caused by flood, sea water rising and salinisation.

Presently the province is carrying out seven other dyke projects worth VND868billion ($42 million). 

Source: VNS