BẮC KẠN —  A serious landslide was reported on Thursday on a section of Thái Nguyên-Chợ Mới Highway, crossing Yên Đĩnh Commune of Bắc Kạn Province’s Chợ Mới District.   

Hundreds of cubic metres of rock and soil poured onto the asphalt road at about 4:30 pm, paralysing traffic. Thankfully, there has been no human damage, Lao động (Labour) online newspaper reported.

Over the past several days, heavy rains pounded in the area. Rain combined with unfavorable geological condition can be the cause of such unfortunate incidents, according to many local residents.

Previously, the newspaper reported that this BOT highway, constructed with investment of VNĐ2.7 trillion (US$120 million), showed cracks and damage just after it was put into use.

The route has revealed many inadequacies and poses traffic safety risks for road-users and vehicles, the online newspaper reported.

Phạm Minh Đức, Director of Thái Nguyên – Chợ Mới BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) Co. Ltd, which is the investor in the highway project, said that the initial process of operation discovered  groundwater from the sluice running to the roof of the road, causing landslides.

Under the influence of climatic factors such as temperature, wind and especially water (rain, surface, and underground), the roof of the road can be seriously eroded. To protect the roof of the road, workers must reinforce it.

"We invited design consultants for urgent measures. At present, the construction units are temporarily repairing the roof of road," he said.

On June 30, on this highway’s section passing through Yên Lạc Commune, Phú Lương District of Thái Nguyên Province, about 400 cubic metres of rock and soil poured onto and covered a 30m-long stretch of asphalt road, causing serious traffic jam

A local resident said he saw large areas of road subsidence. — VNS