Landslide situation on Son Tra peninsula is complicated

Heavy rains in October 2022 caused landslides at dozens of points on the roads leading to Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang City. After nearly a year of efforts to overcome the situation, many areas still have a high risk of landslides, causing insecurity for residents and tourists.

The roads on Son Tra peninsula currently have 42 landslide points.

Mr. Ngo Sau, in Tho Quang ward, Son Tra district, witnessed and said: "Recently, the city's functional forces have handled the landslide areas. The functional forces have handled the areas that are likely to have more landslides, especially the large rocks that are at risk of falling onto the road, now they have all been handled."

After each heavy rain, new landslides continue to appear on the roads leading to Son Tra Peninsula. Many locations and steep mountain slopes are eroded by rainwater, causing landslides and rockslides. Many sections of the road have subsidence, rolling rocks, broken slopes, etc., posing a potential safety risk to people and vehicles. Authorities have posted warning signs, not allowing people and vehicles to pass through dangerous areas.

Mr. Ton That Duong, in Hai Chau district, Da Nang city, said: " Having warning signs like this brings many benefits, helping tourists avoid the risk of accidents and stay away from landslides."

Most tourists visiting Son Tra Peninsula prefer to travel by motorbike to easily enjoy the scenery and check in. During the rainy season, landslides and rockslides on the roads pose potential risks and accidents at any time.

Ms. Vu Hai Yen, a tourist from Thai Binh province, said: “ My experience when traveling on Son Tra peninsula is to follow the instructions of the landslide risk signs; drive at a slow speed; use the appropriate throttle and gear to avoid risks and accidents when traveling and backpacking on Son Tra peninsula.”

Up to now, landslides have been basically fixed but still pose potential risks.

Currently, people and tourists go to Son Tra peninsula by 3 routes: Yet Kieu to Ban Co peak; Le Van Luong intersection to Bai Bac intersection and Suoi Da branch road. Due to the risk of landslides on Son Tra peninsula, the Management Board of Son Tra peninsula and Da Nang tourist beaches recommends that tourists do not travel through the routes under repair and restoration, including: Ban Co peak to Bai Bac, Bai Bac to Cay Da and Tien Sa.

According to Mr. Phan Minh Hai, Deputy Head of the Management Board of Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang tourist beaches, the unit regularly surveys the landslide situation, promptly warns, and ensures safety for people and tourists visiting Son Tra Peninsula.

Hoang Sa road to Son Tra peninsula has been repaired.

“We recommend that residents and tourists limit their visits to Son Tra Peninsula during heavy rains. When traveling on the peninsula, they need to go slowly and pay attention. We hope that residents and tourists will cooperate with the authorities to ensure the safest traffic. We visit, have fun, and entertain, but safety must be the top priority,” Mr. Hai emphasized.

Through inspection, there are 42 landslide spots on the roads leading to Son Tra Peninsula. The Department of Transport of Da Nang City promptly deployed forces and vehicles to overcome and ensure traffic in step 1.

Barriers restrict visitors from moving through landslide areas.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Nghia, Deputy Director of the Department of Transport of Da Nang City said: " Up to this point, the landslides have been basically resolved. In the coming time, to be proactive in preventing landslides on the roads in the Son Tra peninsula area, the Department of Transport has also advised the City People's Committee to have a policy and plan to reinforce the Son Tra peninsula area to limit landslides during the rainy and stormy season".

Many areas of heavy rain caused erosion.

In the long term, the units are submitting to the People's Committee of Da Nang City for consideration to implement 3 projects: Reinforcing Hoang Sa - Son Tra Peninsula Road; Investment Project, Reinforcing the embankment system along the Hoang Sa - Truong Sa - Vo Nguyen Giap coastal road and Project to Overcome the consequences of natural disasters, ensuring traffic on the 2nd road to the top of Son Tra, with a total estimated cost of more than 177 billion VND.

In addition to repairs and reinforcements, Da Nang city has deployed response plans, continued to monitor and promptly handle and overcome landslides on Son Tra peninsula during this year's storm season.