The Ninh Thuan Province People’s Committee has requested funding from the central government to fund a seawall to protect a coastal village from powerful waves that have been battering the south-central Vietnam coast.

The request was made after complaints from villagers in Khanh Hai Town under Ninh Hai District that erosion has been eating away at shorelines and destroying housing foundations in the village.

Le Huyen, vice chairman of the Ninh Thuan Province People’s Committee, said on Wednesday that the provincial administration had written to the national steering committee for natural disaster prevention and control, asking for financial support to battle floods, rains, and waves.

Over the past few years, increasingly strong waves have led to the ocean eating up about 20 meters of land in Khanh Hai Town.

On one specific occasion, the sea rose five meters, destroying 10 houses, one aquaculture farm, and portions of the town’s infrastructure.

As provincial budget is already stretched thin, the proposal called for VND70 billion (US$2.9 million) in the state budget for the construction of a 600-meter-long anti-abrasion embankment along Khanh Hai Town’s Ninh Chu 1 Street.

Without such funding, many residents worry that the coming rainy season will bring increased destruction to the village.

Several houses are damaged by waves in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

According to Do Tuan Dong, a Khanh Hai Town local, he had parts of his home destroyed by waves on the third day of the 2023 lunar year.

“My family has yet to repair our house. We have had to use the living-room for cooking and sleeping,” said Dong.

“We are sheltered by our relatives, about 200 meters apart, when tidal waters climb,” he added.

Do Xuan Bon, one of Dong’s neighbors, also had part of his home destroyed by a large wave in February.

“I spent VND40 million ($1,640) on repairs, but my worries persist,” Bon said.

Duong Buu Vien, chairman of the People’s Committee of Khanh Hai Town, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that marine abrasion has affected 38 households in the village.

Do Tuan Dong’s house suffers significant damages by ocean waves. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

The foundation of a house is eaten away by high waves in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

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