Proactively respond to landslide incident at Veo hill, Son Lai commune

In the face of the landslide at Veo Hill, Son Lai Commune, Nho Quan District, local authorities and relevant agencies are urgently implementing solutions to minimize damage and ensure the safety of people's lives and property.

On the morning of September 29, landslides at the foot of Veo hill, Son Lai commune, continued and showed signs of development. Mr. Nguyen Van Quan, Head of Veo village, said: "Currently, water is no longer flowing rapidly through the cracks, but the area at the landslide points shows signs of increasing. The soil is wet, subsided, difficult to travel, and many new subsidence cracks have appeared, deeper than the previous day."

According to Mr. Quan, the landslide on Veo hill had happened a long time ago, about 40 years ago, but this incident was more serious and the level of natural disaster was more risky. Previously, when local people discovered the cracks, they promptly reported it to the local government and relevant agencies.

Immediately after receiving the news, the People's Committee of Nho Quan district organized a team to inspect and survey the situation. According to the report, due to the impact of storm No. 3 and the storm's circulation, Nho Quan district experienced prolonged heavy rain and caused a landslide on Veo hill. By the afternoon of September 28, the hill area had cracked and broken in 2 locations, the crack width was 30 cm, the depth was about 40 cm with a total length of about 380 m (location 1: 300 m; location 2: 80 m).

This landslide location is very large and dangerous, directly affecting the houses, property, and lives of 139 households and 1 Thanh Vi parish church, mainly households in Veo village, some households in Sua village, Son Lai commune.

Proactively respond to landslide incident at Veo hill, Son Lai commune — Mr. Nguyen Van Quan, Head of Veo village, pointed to the new crack formed after the impact of storm No. 3.

Recognizing that this is an urgent natural disaster situation, especially during the peak of the rainy season, the above landslides are at risk of developing and developing in a complex and unpredictable manner, on September 28, 2024, the People's Committee of Ninh Binh province issued Decision No. 817/QD - UBND announcing an emergency natural disaster situation: Landslide on Veo hill, Son Lai commune, Nho Quan district. At the same time, assigning specific responsibilities to agencies, units and localities to deploy plans to be ready to respond to natural disasters, ensuring maximum safety for the lives and property of the State and the People.

Implementing Decision No. 817/QD-UBND of the Provincial People's Committee, Nho Quan district also issued a document requesting the People's Committee of Son Lai commune, the Sub-Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue of the Southern Ria River, and the departments, branches and sectors of the district to urgently implement measures to respond to the urgent natural disaster situation at Veo hill.

Mr. Hua Manh Trinh, Vice Chairman of Son Lai Commune People's Committee, said that immediately after the Veo Hill landslide, the locality widely announced on the commune's radio station so that people would be aware and proactive in prevention and avoidance. At the same time, they focused on developing a key plan to prevent and combat the Veo Hill landslide.

On September 29, forces and vehicles were organized to build barriers, set up monitoring markers and 3 danger warning signs in the landslide area. In addition, forces including police and militia were deployed to guard the above areas, preventing people and livestock from entering dangerous areas at risk of being affected by landslides, especially when heavy rain occurs.

"For the evacuation plan, we have immediately mobilized people to proactively move to safe shelters. Of which, 5 households in Veo village and 4 households in Sua village are at risk of being directly affected. All households have moved their assets to relatives' houses, ensuring the safety of life and property according to the four-on-the-spot principle" - Mr. Hua Manh Trinh added.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhu, a resident of Veo village, said: "My house is located at the foot of Veo hill, about 30 meters from the landslide site, so I am very worried when an incident occurs. My family has moved their belongings to my daughter's house. When the local authorities announce the evacuation of people, my family will strictly comply to ensure the safety of our lives."

According to the forecast of Ninh Binh Hydrometeorological Station, in the coming days, Ninh Binh province will have rain, showers, localized heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are likely to have tornadoes, lightning and strong gusts of wind.

Given the unpredictable weather developments of the incident, local authorities need to closely monitor warning bulletins, weather forecasts, developments of the Veo hill landslide, and promptly report when dangerous situations occur.

At the same time, continue to research and determine appropriate treatment solutions to ensure long-term stability for the above area in accordance with legal regulations.