Landslide fears in Ma Lao mountain

The house of Mr. Bui Van Cong in Ca village, Ban Cong commune, located right below the landslide site, has not yet been relocated.

Returning to Ca village in early April, the landslide scene still left traces on each house. Although many large rocks that fell on people's houses were moved to safe locations by authorities, broken walls and collapsed roofs were still there. Nearly ten households living at the foot of Ma Lao mountain, once so densely populated, have now become deserted. Some households have moved to temporary schools, others have stayed with relatives. Some households at less risk of being affected still have to stay in place, living in constant fear.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hanh's family was one of the households severely affected by the landslide at Ma Lao Mountain. Still in shock, Mr. Hanh recalled: “Usually, my wife and I go to bed early after dinner. But that night, for some reason, both of us couldn't sleep. While I was lying down, I suddenly heard a loud noise coming from the top of the mountain. I screamed reflexively, then pulled my wife and ran out of the house. Just a few seconds later, large rocks from the mountain crashed down, collapsing the house. There were no casualties, but all of my wife and I's accumulated assets were buried in the rocks and soil.”

For the family of Mr. Bui Van Cong, whose house is located right below the landslide site, the fear is still there. Since the landslide occurred, his family has had to stay at a relative's house. The current house is a grocery store, and during the day when there are customers, he still tries to sell, but at night he closes the shop and stays at someone else's house. "We just hope to receive support from the authorities to move to a new, safe place. Here, whenever it rains, we are afraid of landslides," said Mr. Cong.

Mr. Bui Van Dung, Head of Ca village, Ban Cong commune at the scene of the landslide on Ma Lao mountain.

Sharing the same concerns with the villagers, Mr. Bui Van Dung, Head of Ca village, said: "Currently, there are still 9 other households in the landslide-affected area that have to be relocated. Of these, 6 households have had to temporarily relocate to relatives' houses and the Ca village's satellite school, Ban Cong Primary School. Villagers hope that the provincial authorities will soon have a solution to thoroughly handle the risk of landslides and have policies to support relocation and resettlement, so that people can soon stabilize their lives."

According to Mr. Nguyen The Nghi, Chairman of Ban Cong Commune People's Committee, said: "Immediately after receiving the news, we mobilized functional forces to the scene, organized the evacuation of people and property from the dangerous area. At the landslide location, the commune assigned forces to monitor and put up warning signs. However, through surveying, assessing geological risks and developing a treatment plan, there are still many large rocks stuck on the top of Ma Lao mountain and can roll down at any time, so the risk of landslide recurrence is very high. In particular, the landslide location is the main road of Ca village people to the commune center, if the landslide recurs, there will be a high risk of insecurity".

Faced with the above situation, Ban Cong commune has proposed to the superiors to allow the construction of a new resettlement area to stabilize the long-term housing for the affected households. In the meantime, the people here are still living in anxiety and makeshift conditions. Having to stay with others or temporarily leave many difficulties and inadequacies in daily life and production.

Article and photos: Dinh Giang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/noi-lo-sat-lo-nui-ma-lao-245172.htm