Thanh Chuong: After the flood, people lost their appetite and sleep due to serious landslides.

According to the residents of Minh Duc village (formerly Van Tai village), Vo Liet commune, Thanh Chuong district, the landslide situation along the Ro river bank (where they have lived for decades) has made them extremely confused and worried.

The landslide situation along the Ro River has made people extremely worried. Photo: Van Ly

Being the most severely affected household by landslides, for many years, the family of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Trinh (born in 1954, residing in Minh Duc village, Vo Liet commune) has always had to live in a state of anxiety and fear when the river flows down.Ro Riverhas "eaten" close to home. Many properties and livestock areas of the family have been washed away into the river.

According to the reporter's records, along the Ro River, passing through Minh Duc, Vo Liet Commune, many areas of land have been encroached 2-5 meters deep into residential areas. Many houses in this area are located precariously on the riverbank, making them live in a state of insecurity every day.

The floodThe recent landslide has submerged the entire livestock barn system and residential land of some households living here. The people's wish is that the government will arrange new housing so they can feel secure in doing business and living.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Ngo (born in 1954, Trinh's son) said that although the family had submitted a request many years ago, the government had yet to arrange a new place to live. Last time, the family bought more than 40 trucks of dirt to dump on the riverbank to ensure safety, but now they have been swept away by the floodwaters.

“The water rose nearly 2 meters, causing my family and other households here to be submerged for many days. My mother had to be carried to higher ground to take shelter. The house could “float” into the river at any time, so we were very worried,” said Mr. Ngo.

Riverbank landslides have reached residential areas. Photo: Van Ly

According to Mr. Bui Xuan Linh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Vo Liet commune, in 2018, the commune made a record related to the relocation of households from land at risk of riverbank landslides, including 3 households, including Ms. Nguyen Thi Trinh's household.

The long-term solution is to resettle households. In the immediate future, when floods and storms occur, local authorities must assist people in moving and transporting their belongings to other places to ensure safety.
“The commune is planning a new location and is submitting it to the District People's Committee for synthesis to submit to the Provincial People's Committee for approval of the land use plan for the period 2020 - 2030; when it is included in that plan, the commune will take the next steps to compensate, clear the site, and resettle households according to regulations,” said Mr. Nguyen Tu Hung.

The landslide site has been warned by authorities. Photo: Van Ly

Through the investigation of the reporter, in May 2017, a heavy rain caused landslides in households. At that time, according to statistics of Vo Liet commune authorities, households located directly in areas at risk of landslides when floods occurred included: Van Tai village with 5 households with 26 people, Yen Xuan village with 3 households with 13 people and Hoa Hop village with 3 households with 14 people.

According to the flood damage report of Thanh Chuong District People's Committee: Floods swept away three people, injured three others; damaged 35 houses; damaged many traffic infrastructures, power systems; 26 schools were flooded and damaged. More than 3,000 hectares of crops and aquatic products were damaged. More than 4,700 households were evacuated due to flooding and landslides... Estimated damage to the whole district is more than 60 billion VND.