Landslides - we cannot be complacent.

According to information from Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thanh Lam, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Provincial Military Command, on May 19th, the bomb and unexploded ordnance disposal force discovered and recovered a large quantity of unexploded ordnance remaining from the war in the Da River near the foot of Hoa Binh Bridge in Tan Thinh Ward (Hoa Binh City).

Although the 2025 rainy season has only just begun, the complex weather patterns in many localities across the country have already resulted in severe consequences from natural disasters. Most recently, landslides, flash floods, and mudslides have caused fatalities and significant property damage to people in several mountainous provinces in the North.

The Dong Lanh stream embankment project in Hoa Binh commune, Hoa Binh city, was constructed to address the problem of landslides, flash floods, and mudslides occurring in Hoa Binh commune during the rainy season.

Hoa Binh province, with its complex mountainous terrain, is also a high-risk area for landslides, flash floods, and mudslides during the rainy season, affecting the homes and property of many households. In particular, in Na Chao hamlet, Bao La commune, heavy rain accompanied by a whirlwind caused a landslide of approximately 20 cubic meters onto the yard of Mr. Luong Thanh Xuyen's house, burying an electric bicycle, a regular bicycle, and some other belongings. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the landslide in Na Chao hamlet serves as a warning: Landslides can occur at any time, even without prolonged rain or saturated soil, and people cannot be complacent, especially during the rainy season.

 

According to the Hoa Binh Provincial Meteorological and Hydrological Station, landslides are a frequent natural disaster in the districts and cities of the province, with a higher frequency during the rainy season. Landslides often occur due to prolonged heavy rain, changes in soil temperature and humidity, or human activities affecting slopes, such as construction on steep hillsides. In the province, landslides frequently occur along transportation routes such as: along Provincial Road 433 from Tu Ly commune, Da Bac district to Hoa Binh city and along National Highway 6. In addition, landslides are also common in areas with unstable geology and topography such as the communes of Nanh Nghe, Giap Dat (Da Bac); Mai Ha, Chieng Chau, Xam Khoe (Mai Chau); Nhan My, Dong Lai (Tan Lac)...

Along with landslides, Hoa Binh province is also at high risk of flash floods and mudslides due to its complex and fragmented terrain with many rivers and streams. This type of natural disaster frequently occurs when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall in many mountainous provinces in the North. In Hoa Binh province alone, the Meteorological and Hydrological Department warns that all 10 districts and cities are located in areas at risk of flash floods and mudslides.

The increasing complexity and unpredictability of natural disasters pose a significant challenge to sustainable economic development. In 2024, the province suffered nearly 1,500 billion VND in losses due to natural disasters. Landslides, in particular, caused severe damage in many localities. Notably, with its geological characteristics of uncohesive soil and rock, and its complex, steep, and elongated mountainous terrain interspersed with low-lying areas and valleys along major rivers and streams, Hoa Binh continues to be a high-risk area for landslides, often accompanied by flash floods and mudslides during the rainy season.

According to statistics, the entire province has over 2,000 households located in high-risk areas for flash floods, landslides, and mudslides. Specifically, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has inspected and identified 234 locations with more than 5,000 households in high-risk areas requiring resettlement and stabilization plans. Of these, 143 locations are at risk of landslides, affecting over 2,000 households and requiring resettlement; 21 locations are frequently affected by flash floods and mudslides, affecting approximately 167 households; and 70 locations are frequently flooded, affecting over 1,700 households. Many landslide-prone areas have been classified by the Provincial People's Committee as urgent projects requiring remedial action, such as the area of ​​Group 15, Dong Tien Ward (Hoa Binh City). The Lu Thao hill area, Lam Son commune (Luong Son)... In addition, in mountainous areas, there are still many areas affected by landslides since the 2024 rainy season, but so far only relocation plans have been developed, without comprehensive solutions to address the problem.

According to Ms. Hoang Lan Thu, Deputy Head of the Water Resources and Irrigation Management Sub-Department (Department of Agriculture and Environment), since the 2024 rainy season, local authorities have erected warning signs at landslide-prone areas and areas at risk of landslides to inform residents and enable them to take proactive precautions. In 2025, to avoid complacency and negligence in the face of complex weather developments, the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, and Civil Defense has directed districts and cities to review and provide information on key and vulnerable infrastructure projects with high risk of natural disasters, especially those affecting residents and infrastructure. The department has advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue a plan for responding to natural disasters according to the level of risk in the province. This includes developing specific plans for preventing landslides, flash floods, and mudslides, from evacuation locations and support vehicles to response forces and command forces for all high-risk residential areas.

The actual weather patterns over the past years show that the province has experienced almost all forms of natural disasters, especially landslides and rockfalls, which are becoming increasingly complex, unpredictable, and difficult to forecast accurately. Therefore, along with the involvement of departments, agencies, and local authorities, people need to raise their awareness of prevention, proactively respond, and strictly follow the guidance of local authorities, promptly relocating from areas at risk of landslides during the rainy season. When detecting unusual signs, people should report to local authorities so that timely action can be taken.

Dinh Hoa

Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/274/201301/Sat-lo-dat-khong-the-chu-quan.htm