Worrying about landslides
Although it has been 2 months since the landslide in Na Mo village, Dia Linh commune (Ba Be district, Bac Kan), the feeling of insecurity is still severe for many people in the highland villages. The landslide at Km31 +100 Provincial Road 258 is currently littered with rocks and soil, and has not been completely handled. Above, the steep earthen wall is full of cracks. Below, the road surface is muddy when it rains, dusty when it is sunny, vehicles passing by have to stick to the edge to go.
As a household living near the landslide site, Ms. Tran Thi Sinh said that every time she passes through this road, she stops, observes carefully before taking the car on. "Everyone who passes through here is worried, especially when it rains or at night, with limited visibility, only worried that if there is a landslide, it will be very dangerous," said Ms. Sinh, then pointed to the piles of rocks and soil hanging near the edge of the road.
Since the landslide in April 2025, about 150,000m3 of rock and soil have flowed down this road. However, up to now, part of the road surface is still covered, narrowing the traffic space. Not only does it risk traffic safety in the area but it also disrupts people's daily life and travel.
Mr. Ma Quang Khanh, a driver who often passes through this route, said that when it is sunny, the dust is everywhere, when it rains, it slides, and mud covers the wheels. Some days I have to get off the car to temporarily clear the land before daring to let the car pass.
"Many sections are only enough for one lane, if vehicles are in the opposite direction, it is easy to experience local congestion and prolongation. So we have to give in to each other, sometimes we go at night and get even more scared. If it is not necessary, I will choose to take a detour, even though it is far away, it feels much more secure, said Mr. Khanh.
Not only drivers, but local people are also affected significantly, causing disruption to their lives and activities. Some households living near the landslide said that every time it rains heavily, they are very afraid that rocks and soil from the hill will fall, slide down, and block the path. Transporting agricultural products and goods out of the commune has also become more difficult.
"Many people in the village now have a hesitant mentality every time they go out, when having to go through the landslide road. Low-chassis vehicles almost do not dare to circulate because of the high risk of being stuck. I just hope that an excavator will soon come and clean up all that land," a resident in the village shared.
Develop a plan to overcome the incident, according to Mr. Trinh Dinh Tinh - Deputy Director of the Department of Construction of Bac Kan province, the unit has directed specialized departments to coordinate with the consulting unit to conduct a survey, determine the volume of landslides and develop a plan to overcome them.
Design solutions, disaster handling and traffic assurance documents have been completed.At the same time, the Department has also proposed and advised the Provincial People's Committee to direct the implementation of the construction.
The implementing unit is Bac Kan Traffic Management and Construction Joint Stock Company.According to the plan, the clearance of rocks and soil and handling of landslides will be completed in June 2025.Local authorities also regularly monitor, warn and regulate traffic in the area that is being implemented to minimize risks for people and vehicles passing by.
Provincial Road 258 is a vital route connecting the center of Ba Be District with Bac Kan City. Overcoming landslides not only helps ensure the safety of people but also contributes to stabilizing the circulation of goods, especially during the approaching rainy and stormy season.
