Nghe An: New cracks in residential areas, risk of subsidence with unpredictable consequences

The new crack appeared about 50m from the previous highest crack point in the direction of the mountain top. Photo: Ho Phuong

According to Nghe An Newspaper reporters, on the morning of March 20, many new cracks appeared on the hill near the water plant in block 5, Muong Xen town (Ky Son).

According to observation, about 50m from the old crack location towards the top of the hill, there are many more large cracks, some of which are wider than 50cm.

The old cracks also changed very quickly. At the landslide points we observed on March 17, the subsidence was only about 1 meter, now it has subsided to nearly 2 meters deep. Most of the cracks have opened up much wider than the previous days.

The old cracks are also much larger than they were at the beginning (March 15). Photo: Ho Phuong

Mr. Tran Van Hoa - Head of the Ky Son District Construction Investment Project Management Board said that since the cracks appeared, the board has assigned staff to monitor and report in detail every day. Currently, the cracks are not only located on one hill like the previous days, but also appear on two neighboring hills. The scope of the cracks is also wider.

"We cannot yet determine the extent of the landslide if it actually occurs, but based on the scene, we can confirm that the consequences will be terrible if a landslide occurs," Mr. Hoa added.

Previously, on March 15, when the first crack appeared, the People's Committee of Ky Son district established an interdisciplinary team led by Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hoang - Chairman of the District People's Committee to go to the scene to inspect, determine the cause and initial handling direction.

At the time of the above phenomenon, there were 2 heavy rains in the area, causing the fracture speed to increase and the development to be unpredictable. Meanwhile, the loose soil in Muong Xen town, poor adhesion along with the steep slope also made the cracking situation more serious.

Ky Son Electricity staff dismantle power lines on a hill within the area at risk of landslides. Photo: Ho Phuong

Currently, Ky Son district has organized meetings with local people and assigned the People's Committee of Muong Xen town to monitor and temporarily relocate households affected by landslides to other places. Up to now (March 20), 23 households in the affected area have agreed to temporarily relocate. In the immediate future, the People's Committee of Ky Son district will support each family in the affected area with 10 million VND to move to temporary accommodation.

Ky Son District also assigned staff to be on duty 24/7 at the scene. Signs were erected on National Highway 7 to warn road users. Ky Son Power Company also sent technical staff to dismantle and move the power line in another direction on March 19.

There are 23 households affected by the appearance of cracks on the mountain in block 5 of Muong Xen town. Photo: Ho Phuong

“The households have moved. During the day, some people still come home to look after their houses, but at night, no one sleeps at home... I don’t know when the subsidence will happen, I have to go back and forth on this road every day so I’m very scared,” a worried resident living in the area added.

Hot: Large cracks appear, threatening the lives of dozens of households in Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - A very large crack over 200m long located on a hill in block 5 of Muong Xen town, Ky Son district (Nghe An) is threatening the lives and homes of dozens of people in this mountainous district.