In the early days of August, rain covered the mountainsides in Che Tao commune. The only road leading to many villages is still littered with soil and rocks after previous landslides.
Every time black clouds come, the phones of commune officials continuously ring with reports from village heads, Party cell secretaries and people about points where cracks or slopes show signs of sliding appear.
Mr. Giang A Chang, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Che Tao commune - said that after many heavy rains, the commune government has coordinated with the police, military, militia and self-defense forces and shock teams to regularly inspect high-risk areas.
We do not wait until landslides occur to handle them. Whenever there is information about water changing color or unusual soil and rock falling, officials go down to check immediately.
If the assessment does not ensure safety, resolutely mobilize people to relocate," Mr. Chang said.
According to Mr. Chang, the most favorable thing now is that people have changed their perceptions after witnessing many landslides causing damage in recent years.
Instead of subjectively staying to keep assets, many households proactively prepare essential items, ready to evacuate when warned.
In Tran Yen commune, the landslides behind Mr. Do Ngoc Thach's house, Minh Quan 1 village are a clear warning about the destructive power of natural disasters.
In two years 2024 and 2025, his family has suffered landslides 3 times, with hundreds of cubic meters of soil and rock falling after prolonged heavy rains.
From those natural disasters, Mr. Thach's family proactively reinforced key points, cleared the flow and regularly monitored weather forecasts.
People in the landslide area and especially my family are always proactive in plans, by monitoring natural phenomena. If the risk is too high, my family will also proactively move to a safe place," Mr. Thach said.
Similarly, Ms. Giang Thi Me's family, in Lao Chai village, Lao Chai commune, is one of the households that suffered the heaviest damage. After many years of saving and being supported by the State, last year her family built a solid house.
However, after only two days of heavy rain, a large volume of soil and rock from the positive slope suddenly slid down, causing the house to be almost completely destroyed.
After the flood, Ms. Me and many households in the village formed the habit of observing unusual signs of the mountains and forests.
As soon as a new crack appears on the hillside, the water flow from the mountain crevice turns cloudy, or the sound of fallen trees in the middle of the night, people immediately report it to the village head or commune authorities.
According to local leaders, people who understand the terrain are the most effective force in detecting risks early. They know which areas have cracked mountains, which taluys are prone to landslides, and which streams often experience flash floods.
This information helps the authorities cordon off dangerous areas and handle them promptly before an incident occurs.
We thoroughly understand the spirit of not being passive or surprised in any circumstances. The highest goal is to ensure absolute safety of life for people and minimize damage caused by natural disasters," Ms. Dao Thi Thu Thuy - Secretary of the Party Committee of Lao Chai commune expressed.
