Construction work to prevent landslides in Ky Son.

Construction workers are excavating soil to prevent landslides and repair cracks on a hill in Block 4, Muong Xen town. Photo: Ho Phuong

Mr. Tran Oanh, Deputy Director of the Ky Son District Construction Project Management Board, said that the construction unit has begun work on the project to prevent serious landslides in Block 4, Muong Xen town.

"Although the design plan is being approved by the Department of Transportation and relevant parties, funding is still insufficient. However, due to the critical and urgent nature of the project, the district must proceed with construction immediately to ensure the safety of lives and property of affected households and road users."

According to information received by the reporter, 5 billion VND has already been mobilized (4 billion VND from Nghe An province and 1 billion VND from Ky Son district) for the construction of this project. It is estimated that at least 15 billion VND will be needed to complete this project.

According to some experts in landslide prevention construction, building landslide prevention structures is not simply a matter of allocating funds and proceeding with construction as needed, unlike other projects.

The crack appeared on March 15, 2018, on a hill in Muong Xen town. Photo: Ho Phuong

"The landslide problem must be addressed continuously and without delay. Excavating only a small portion of a large mass of earth and then stopping will only make it more prone to landslides. This will only increase the level of danger," Mr. Oanh said.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha's family is one of 23 households affected by a large crack that poses a potential landslide risk in Block 4 of Muong Xen town. Since relocating, Ms. Ha and her family have had to stay with a relative in the area.

Longing to return to her home and settle down, Ms. Ha said: “Since the cracks appeared, my family's life has been completely turned upside down. Because so many people have to live in a small house, everything is extremely inconvenient. Going to work is also constantly a problem. I already suffer from chronic insomnia, and now being in a strange house makes it even harder to sleep; I haven't had a single peaceful night's sleep in almost two months.”

Sharing the same predicament as Ms. Ha's family, Mr. Nguyen Van Dung also expressed his frustration at having to rent accommodation: "Since the relocation, my family has had to rent a place to live, and the 10 million VND provided by the district has now run out. Renting has countless inconveniences, so everyone in the family feels exhausted."

According to our observations, moderate to heavy rain has fallen in Ky Son district in recent days. The risk of landslides at the crack is increasing day by day.

A massive crack threatens the lives and property of more than 20 households in Block 4, Muong Xen town. Photo: Ho Phuong

The Provincial People's Committee has ordered the relocation of residents due to a landslide in Ky Son.

(Baonghean.vn) - Faced with the serious landslide situation in Muong Xen town (Ky Son district), the Provincial People's Committee issued an emergency order, requiring the immediate relocation of households, houses, and structures out of the dangerous area.

Previously, in March 2018, residents of Block 4, Muong Xen town, were worried when they discovered many large cracks on the hillside. Many cracks showed signs of landslides, with some sections sinking more than 1 meter deep. In the following days, the cracks widened and became more dangerous, threatening the lives and homes of dozens of households living at the foot of the mountain.

Assessing the landslide as serious and urgent, the Ky Son District People's Committee organized meetings with residents and assigned the Muong Xen Town People's Committee to supervise and relocate affected households to other locations.

Many households within the affected area have agreed to temporarily relocate. Initially, the Ky Son District People's Committee is providing each family with 10 million VND to help them move to temporary accommodation.

On April 27, 2018, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued Decision No. 1603/QD-UBND on the issuance of an emergency order due to a landslide incident in Block 4, Muong Xen town, Ky Son district, with a length of 130m at risk of landslide (from Km201+350 to Km201+480).

In recent days, Ky Son district has experienced moderate to heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of landslides. Photo: Ho Phuong

The decision was made after the People's Committee of Nghe An province received a proposal from the People's Committee of Ky Son district and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding the declaration of a state of emergency due to landslides.

According to the decision, the Provincial People's Committee assigned Ky Son district to identify the landslide zone, mark the area and place warning signs in Block 4, Muong Xen town, where landslides are occurring. The district is also tasked with widely publicizing the landslide situation through mass media and immediately relocating households, houses, and structures out of the dangerous area.

The People's Committee of Ky Son district must erect warning signs in dangerous areas to inform residents and assign personnel to guard the area to ensure safety; immediately provide assistance to households relocating to safe areas in accordance with regulations.

The Provincial People's Committee has assigned the Department of Transport to take the lead and coordinate with the Road Management Department 2 and the Provincial Police to install traffic signs to limit speed and weight; and to implement measures to guide, warn, and ensure the safety of people and vehicles passing through this area.

Houses belonging to residents in the danger zone. Photo: Ho Phuong