Soil fell on Highway 12, causing difficulty for local residents in Mường Tè District. — VNA/VNS Photo Quý Trung

LAI CHÂU — Landslides have caused traffic jams in the northern province of Lai Châu due to heavy rains in recent days.

Heavy rain from last night and landslides impacted the roads to Pa Ủ, Tà Tổng and Thu Lũ communes of Mường Tè District.

Heavy rains have also caused many landslides, floods and traffic jams on Highway 12 and 4H, with thousands of cubic metres of soil falling on the road.

Local authorities said the heavy rains could also cause flash floods and landslides in residential areas, especially villages along streams.

The provincial steering committee for natural disaster prevention and search and rescue has directed the transportation sector and local authorities to mobilise forces to deal with landslide sites and guide vehicles to ensure traffic flow.

Households at risk of flash floods and landslides need to be moved to safe areas, it said.

According to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, northern mountainous provinces can expect heavy rain until Saturday. — VNS