Recorded by Lao Dong Newspaper reporters on the afternoon of July 22, due to the impact of storm No. 3, the highland communes such as Quy Duc, Cao Son, Duc Nhan - in the old Da Bac district, now in Phu Tho province - are experiencing prolonged heavy rain.
Heavy rain has caused serious landslides at many points, including provincial road 433 (a vital traffic axis connecting mountainous communes) which is currently partially blocked.
According to a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper on the afternoon of July 22, at Km24+800 in the Lao stream area, rocks and soil from the positive slope overflowed onto the road, completely paralyzing traffic through here.
Mr. Quach Van Hieu, a local resident, said: At more than 12 noon today, I passed through this section and saw rocks and soil that were half a meter deep, making it impossible for motorbikes to move. The rain has not stopped, so landslides continue to occur. At this time, if there is no urgent matter, you should not travel on the road.
On the same morning, at Km30+270, in Mit hamlet, Cao Son commune, a large ancient tree was uprooted and fell across the road, causing traffic congestion. The authorities and people quickly arrived and handled the situation promptly. Traffic through this section has now been reopened.
However, according to Ms. Bui Thi Hoa Binh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Cao Son commune, there are currently 2 overflow culverts (including Tram culvert and Tay Mang culvert) that are deeply flooded and cannot be passed. "The commune has deployed guards at both ends of the spillway, not allowing people and vehicles to pass because they are not safe.
The landslide area at Lao stream on route 433 is also not yet open to traffic. We have put up warning signs and mobilized excavators to clear rocks and soil," Ms. Binh informed.
Mr. Nguyen Huy Toan, representative of Hoa Binh Traffic Construction Joint Stock Company (the unit managing route 433) said that many locations on the route are at high risk of landslides due to prolonged rain.
The unit is closely coordinating with local authorities to monitor and handle landslides, while stepping up propaganda and warning people about dangerous areas to proactively prevent them.
In addition to flooded and landslides in Cao Son commune, the reporter noted that there are also quite dangerous landslides in the section from Tan Hoa ward to Da Bac commune, threatening traffic safety if the weather continues to rain heavily. Commune police forces have been deployed to this area to ensure the safety of the people.
According to the forecast of the Phu Tho Provincial Hydrometeorological Station, due to the influence of the circulation of storm No. 3, from now until the morning of July 24, the province will have moderate rain, heavy rain and thunderstorms, some places will have very heavy rain with common rainfall of 70-120mm. In the West and Southwest, it may rain 100-200mm, locally over 250mm.
The communes of the old Da Bac district are located in areas with steep terrain, and are warned of a very high risk of landslides and flash floods.
People are advised to be very careful when traveling, especially on routes such as Provincial Road 433, which is a hot spot for landslides during the rainy and stormy season.
