The meteorological agency has issued warnings to hundreds of areas in Lai Chau, Son La, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang and Thai Nguyen provinces, and at the same time advised people to proactively prevent and limit damage.
In recent days, due to the influence of storm No. 3 (KUJIRA) circulation combined with a tropical convergence zone, many northern mountainous and midland provinces recorded moderate to heavy rain, with very heavy rain in some places.
Prolonged heavy rainfall has caused soil and rocks in many areas to saturate water, increasing the risk of flash floods on small rivers and streams, landslides on slopes and flooding in low-lying areas.
Heavy rain also caused landslides on some mountainous traffic routes, affecting people's travel. Local authorities have mobilized forces and vehicles to overcome landslide points, and at the same time organized duty shifts, closely monitoring weather developments to promptly respond to arising situations.
According to warnings from the meteorological agency, many localities are located in areas at high risk of flash floods, landslides and flooding.
In Lao Cai alone, according to Lao Dong's records, on August 5, landslides and rockfalls appeared at Km89+100, Km101+100, Km114+100, Km117+200, Km121+000, Km124+250 and Km126+200 on National Highway 4D.
Immediately after detecting dangerous locations, Road Traffic Police Team No. 1 (Traffic Police Department of Lao Cai Provincial Police) deployed forces to the scene, planted warning signs, stretched ropes to cordon off the landslide area, and at the same time regulated and guided vehicles to circulate safely.
In addition, at Km12+600 provincial road 155, the area connecting to Mong Sen bridge, the risk of landslides is still high due to the soil saturated with water after many consecutive days of rain.
At the scene, many locations showed boulders, soil and rocks and branches falling close to the roadside.
Meanwhile, thick fog, slippery road surface and limited visibility increase the risk of traffic unsafety, especially on steep mountain passes and curves on the Lao Cai - Sa Pa route.
Functional forces recommend that people and drivers when traveling on National Highway 4D and Provincial Road 155 should regularly update weather information, reduce speed, and maintain a safe distance.
Shock forces are required to maintain 24/24 hour duty, inspect reservoirs, underground spillways, key traffic routes and be ready to handle arising situations.
People are advised to limit travel through deeply flooded areas, spillways, streams or roads showing signs of landslides; regularly monitor forecast and warning bulletins from meteorological agencies and local authorities to proactively respond.
According to forecasts, rain in the northern mountainous region is still likely to continue in the coming days. The risk of flash floods, landslides and localized inundation continues to be high, especially in areas with steep terrain, weak soil and places where heavy rain has been prolonged.
