The landslide and subsidence situation in the Veo hill area, Son Lai commune is becoming more and more complicated, posing a danger to people and property. Large and small cracks are appearing more and more, especially after many long periods of heavy rain. Local authorities have proactively stretched ropes and put up warning signs.

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The Veo hill area behind the households is sinking and collapsing. Photo: Tran Nghi

Ms. Duong Thi Lan (65 years old), whose house is located at the foot of Veo hill, said: "For many days now, every night, the whole family of 6 has had to stay at relatives' houses to avoid danger. Valuable assets have also been moved elsewhere."

According to Ms. Lan, the local people have been growing acacia trees in Veo hill for a long time and have never experienced subsidence or landslides like the present.

According to the report of the People's Committee of Nho Quan district, due to the influence of storm No. 3 and the post-storm circulation in the district, there was prolonged heavy rain, causing a landslide on Veo hill.

By the afternoon of September 28, there were 2 locations with cracks and broken floors with a length of 380m, a crack width of 30cm, and a depth of about 40cm (location 1: 300m; location 2: 80m).

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The cracks appeared after storm No. 3 and became stronger after the prolonged rain in recent days. Photo: Tran Nghi
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The cracks have formed crevices, with the risk of landslides at any time. Photo: Tran Nghi

The landslide, cracks, and broken floors directly affected 139 households and a Thanh Vy parish church. The affected households were mainly in Veo village and some households in Sua village.

Given the current weather conditions, landslides are at risk of continuing and developing in a complex and unpredictable manner, so the People's Committee of Ninh Binh province has declared a natural disaster emergency in the Veo hill area, Son Lai commune.

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Local authorities put up warning signs around residential areas. Photo: Tran Nghi

The Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee has assigned the Nho Quan District People's Committee to closely monitor the landslide developments and immediately deploy necessary measures such as barriers, monitoring and warning signs in the affected area. At the same time, the district must ensure absolute safety for people and property of households living in landslide-prone areas, and be ready to evacuate and relocate people and property in case of dangerous situations.

To support Nho Quan district, the Provincial People's Committee also requested the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Construction, Department of Planning and Investment, Department of Finance, Provincial Military Command and related units to coordinate closely, organize timely response, and ensure safety for people.

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The residential area at the foot of the hill is at high risk of landslides. Photo: Tran Nghi

Mr. Hua Manh Trinh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Son Lai Commune, Nho Quan District (Ninh Binh), said that the subsidence at Veo Hill continues, although with less intensity in the past two days.

The local government has deployed many working groups to be on duty regularly in dangerous areas to be ready to respond and ensure the safety of people and property when incidents occur. To date, 8 households in areas at high risk of landslides (5 households in Veo village, 3 households in Sua village) have been evacuated to safety.