Tra My highlands remain isolated, forces cut through forests to rescue and supply food

DNO - Today, October 31, the rain in the Tra My highlands (Quang Nam) has decreased, floodwaters have gradually receded, but landslides are still complicated, causing many areas to be completely isolated. National Highway 40B, the main route connecting the highland communes, continues to be cut off due to a series of new landslides, huge amounts of rock and soil buried the road surface, paralyzing traffic.

Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan, a technical officer of Quang Nam Road Construction and Management Joint Stock Company, said that on the 10km stretch of road from Km71+1 to Km82, along the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant, 15 landslides were recorded. Of these, 8 had particularly large amounts of rock and soil, and 2 new ones appeared on October 30 and early morning of October 31.

Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan commanded the scene of clearing the large landslide at Km71+1.50 on National Highway 40B, photo taken on the morning of October 31. Photo: VAN BINH

At Km71+1.50, the area witnessed 8 consecutive landslides, burying more than 100m of road. Mr. Tuan shared: "On the afternoon of October 30, our unit was about to temporarily clear the route, but early this morning there was another landslide, the volume of rock and soil increased many times. If the weather is favorable, we can temporarily clear the route this afternoon, October 31."

The unit mobilized 6 mechanical vehicles, including crawler and tire loaders, to operate continuously day and night. However, the rugged, steep terrain and recurring landslides made the construction work face many risks. In fact, many local vehicle owners and drivers did not dare to participate for fear of danger, especially after the excavator and workers were buried on the East Truong Son route, the auxiliary dam area of ​​the Song Tranh 2 hydropower plant on October 28.

People were happy to find a buried bag of rice, which was a treasure for a household in village 3, Tra Giap commune. Photo: VAN BINH

In Tra Giap commune, Mr. Phung Van Nam, Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, said that 49 households were severely affected: houses were flooded, mud and soil flooded in, walls collapsed or completely collapsed. Regarding people, 5 cases were injured by landslides, of which 2 people were in critical condition and are being treated at Quang Nam General Hospital. The local government quickly organized working groups, brought food and essential items to village 3 and the surrounding villages, provided emergency support to households that lost their houses and helped people find buried assets.

Soldiers and militia carrying instant noodles and dried food prepare to cross the large landslide at Km71+1.50 on Highway 40B to help isolated people. Photo: VAN BINH

On the morning of October 31, Military Region V, militia and authorities of Tra Tan and Tra Giap communes urgently cut through the forest, crossed the swamp, and carried instant noodles and dry food in baskets to supply people in isolated villages. Due to the serious landslide situation, many relief teams and cargo vehicles were forced to stop or turn around at the large landslide point at Km71+1.50 on National Highway 40B.

In addition, another serious incident was recorded at Km82+500 (in village 1, old Tra Giac commune), bordering Nam Tra My district. Here, the permanent concrete bridge was completely washed away by floodwaters, leaving only the abutment. This incident has left the vital road unreachable.

National Highway 40B, section Km82+500 (village 1, old Tra Giac commune), bordering Nam Tra My, the permanent concrete bridge was washed away, leaving only the bridge pier, so the route cannot be reopened yet. Photo: VAN BINH

Authorities are racing against time to quickly clear the route and transport relief supplies to the highlands. However, the progress of the work still depends entirely on weather conditions and the risk of new landslides.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/vung-cao-tra-my-van-co-lap-cac-luc-luong-cat-rung-cuu-tiep-te-luong-thuc-3308822.html