Hanoi proactively responds to and overcomes landslides

In Ba Vi and Suoi Hai communes, local authorities and functional forces have proactively responded to and overcome landslides caused by the storm, focusing on implementing the "4 on-site" motto, promptly evacuating and ensuring safety for people.

Proactively deploy "4 on-site"

Photo caption — The risk of further landslides is very high in Yen Son village, Ba Vi commune, and local authorities have evacuated people from the danger zone. Photo: Quoc Luy/VNA

Storm No. 10 in late September 2025 caused prolonged heavy rain in Hanoi , of which Ba Vi was the place that suffered the most damage. Dozens of landslides appeared, dozens of households were at risk of losing their lives and property. However, with the timely direction of Hanoi city and the proactive spirit of local authorities, many localities promptly deployed response plans, minimized damage, and ensured safety for people.

According to VNA reporters, in Ba Vi commune (Hanoi city), there are 48 landslide spots; of which, 10 spots are assessed as dangerous and at high risk. In particular, in Minh Hong and Yen Son villages, where 23 households live near the foot of the mountain, the risk of landslides is still present. The commune authorities have erected warning signs, stretched ropes and regularly propagated and reminded people not to be subjective.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Dong, Chairman of Ba Vi Commune People's Committee, said that since the warning of storm No. 10, the locality has closely monitored hydrometeorological reports and closely followed the city's directives to proactively prepare response plans. "We have seriously implemented the 4-on-the-spot principle, mobilizing militia and self-defense forces to be on duty at points at risk of landslides. For households in dangerous areas, the government has prepared evacuation plans to ensure people's lives and property," Mr. Dong emphasized.

Mr. Ly Sinh Tung (38 years old, in Yen Son village, Ba Vi commune) said that his family is living near a large landslide. Heavy rain due to the impact of storm No. 10 caused an area of about 2,000 m2 to collapse and landslide seriously, directly affecting many households in the village. However, he and other households have received timely support and assistance from the commune government and militia forces these days.

In Suoi Hai commune (Hanoi), the commune authorities also promptly checked and evacuated people in high-risk areas. In Xam hamlet, village 9, Suoi Hai commune, this area has repeatedly shown signs of landslides in the area where households live every time there is heavy rain; during storms No. 5 and No. 6, heavy rains brought rocks and soil falling from the hillside into people's houses, damaging part of the surrounding wall; causing a crack longer than 300m. If the landslide continues, it will directly threaten the lives and property of households living right below. The preliminary cause was determined to be weak geology, unsafe slopes, and susceptibility to landslides when heavy rains occur due to the impact of surface and underground flows in the soil.

"Currently, all 9 households with 44 people have been evacuated to a safe place, the village cultural house or the house of a nearby relative. The commune is still closely monitoring landslide sites to prevent risks," said Mr. Nguyen Van Thien, Deputy Head of the Economic Department of Suoi Hai commune.

In Tay Phuong commune, in response to the complicated developments of storm No. 10, Tay Phuong commune has inspected areas at risk of landslides and localized flooding in the area, in which Tay Phuong mountain area (Tay Phuong village) is assessed as particularly dangerous. On September 30, the commune authorities urgently evacuated all 31 households with more than 120 people living in the risk area to safe shelters.

Accompanying government – no one is left behind

Before, during and after storm No. 10, Hanoi city leaders directed localities to urgently count the damage, especially prioritizing the evacuation of people from dangerous areas. Absolutely no casualties. Local authorities must clearly warn and resolutely not let people stay in landslide areas. On September 30, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen signed and issued Decision No. 4909/QD-UBND dated September 30, 2025 on declaring a natural disaster emergency at landslide locations that do not ensure safety in Suoi Hai and Ba Vi communes. In particular, focusing on implementing the "4 on-site" motto, quickly deploying forces, means and commanding on-site in a synchronous manner, maximizing the strength of the community.

During the stormy days, many households live in a state of insecurity. Mr. Dinh Cong Chuyen (48 years old, in village 9, Suoi Hai commune) shared: "The cracks appeared from storms No. 5 and No. 6, and by storm No. 10 they have widened and become more dangerous. The entire village of nearly 45 households is afraid of landslides happening at any time. I hope the government will soon have a solution so that we can return to peace."

Sharing the same sentiment, Mr. Ly Sinh Tung expressed: "Heavy rain caused landslides, it felt like we were about to lose our home. My family was forced to stop all work and move our belongings. We were very grateful when the militia and commune officials came to the scene to support us, put up warning signs, and help people move. However, in the long term, we hope to soon have an effective solution to prevent landslides so that people can live in peace."

Resolving landslide hotspots - sustainable solutions for the future

Although the critical stage has passed, the fear of natural disasters is still present. Local authorities with high risks of landslides have recommended that the city pay attention to investing in anti-erosion embankments and promptly arrange resettlement for households in warning areas.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Dong, Chairman of Ba Vi Commune People's Committee shared: "After the storm, the Commune People's Committee will inspect the fields, auxiliary works and landslides. We will continue to closely follow the city's instructions and improve our capacity to respond to natural disasters. But in the long term, we need fundamental and scientific solutions so that people can feel secure in their homeland and not have to worry every rainy and stormy season."

Sharing this thought, many people in the commune also expressed their desire to live safely on their homeland. If there were solid embankments and reinforcements, people would feel secure and not have to live in fear during each rainy and stormy season.

Lessons from storm No. 10 show that timely direction from the city, proactiveness from local authorities and consensus from the people are key factors to minimize damage and ensure community safety. This is also the foundation for Hanoi to continue to develop sustainable disaster prevention plans, adapting to increasingly severe climate change. Only when there are fundamental, synchronous solutions, thoroughly handling landslide "hotspots" and quickly restoring people's lives after the storm, can there truly be a safe and sustainable solution.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/ha-noi-chu-dong-ung-pho-va-khac-phuc-sat-lo-20251001205953032.htm