The scene of the landslide, where rescue operations are underway. Two houses have been completely buried. — VNA/VNS Photo Chu Quốc Hùng

ĐÀ LẠT — The search continues for two people after a landslide in the early hours of June 29 in Đà Lạt City, Lâm Đồng Province.

The concrete anti-landslide embankment broke after heavy rain, causing four homes to be buried.

Two houses were completely destroyed, while two others are partly buried by the soil, with one at high risk of collapse.

According to initial information, the incident occurred around 2.30am on June 29.

Phan Thị Huỳnh, 70, living in an alley right next to the landslide area, said a loud noise woke her up.

Other residents rushed out and found several houses buried under soil and rocks.

Huỳnh's daughter, Võ Thị Linh Phúc, immediately called the Rescue Team and the People's Committee of Ward 10 for help. Rescue workers arrived shortly after, broke through the wall and took victims to the hospital.

Five people have been rescued from a house by the local Fire and Rescue Police Department, and were taken for emergency treatment at Lâm Đồng General Hospital.

Rescue forces are continuing to use excavation machinery to search for two individuals in another house that is completely buried.

Leaders of the Lâm Đồng Provincial People's Committee and the Đà Lạt City People's Committee were present on-site to lead the rescue operation.

The recent heavy rain also caused landslides in many other areas of the city.

In District 3, landslides have occurred on Đặng Thái Thân Street, Đống Đa Street, Triệu Việt Vương Street, An Bình Street, 3/4 Street, causing varying degrees of damage, including the collapse of three houses, one person injured, and fallen trees. A minor landslide occurred in Phường 5.

Talking about the causes of landslides that have taken place in many localities, including Lâm Đồng, experts said that due to heavy rain, water temporarily disintegrates the links of soil, rock, and roots of trees as well as vegetation.

Due to the construction activities, when there is extreme heavy rain, the water has no place to seep in, and will pour into the lowlands. The drainage system and streams will become overwhelmed and cause flooding, according to experts.

A majority of landslides are caused by human overexploitation of forests. Construction activities at the foot of the mountain can also affect landslides indirectly.

According to Head of the Weather Forecasting Department, National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, recently Lâm Đồng has experienced frequent rains leading to the soil and rock to be saturated with water.

Landslides can happen at any time regardless of day or night, he said.

When it occurs at night, there is no precaution, so the damage is often great, Hưởng said.

As part of the efforts to improve the quality of landslide warning bulletins, the centre will increase the application of artificial intelligence technology as well as develop an impact warning system and warn of risks caused by landslides, among many others. — VNS