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

ĐÀ LẠT — Two people were killed in a landslide that hit Đà Lạt City, Lâm Đồng Province, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The two victims were a husband and wife who migrated from Phú Yên Province to work in construction.

As of early Thursday afternoon, rescue work was ongoing to recover the body of the female victim.

The landslide occurred after a nearby concrete embankment broke in 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.

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.

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 Ward 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 Ward 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.

On Thursday, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control issued an official document, requesting relevant authorities to overcome the consequences of floods, flash floods and landslides in Lâm Đồng.

Accordingly, Lâm Đồng authorities were requested to urgently send forces to search for buried people, organise the relocation of people, and put up warning signs around the landslide area, as well as visit the victim's family.

They also must assess and determine the cause and extent of continued landslide (if any) as well as propose handling measures while supporting the restoration of houses, and helping affected people stabilise their lives.

The Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue of Lâm Đồng were asked to closely monitor bulletins related to warning and forecast about heavy rains and risk of flash floods, landslides, as well as inform authorities and people to actively prevent and minimise damage. — VNS