Landslide occur along Đáy River's bank in Hoà Chính Commune, Chương Mỹ District. — Photo  hanoimoi.com.vn

HÀ NỘI —  The Hà Nội People’s Committee has announced an emergency situation as landslides have occurred along rivers in the capital city.

In Chu Minh Commune, Ba Vì District, landslides occurred along 250 metres of the Hồng (Red) River’s west bank and 300 metres of the dyke along the river. The landslides cracked the walls and houses of more than 10 local households.

Landslides also damaged the dyke along the west bank of the Đà River in two communes – Sơn Đà and Minh Quang in Ba Vì District. A landslide occurred nearby Đồng Tiến pumping station and nearly encroached the foot of Minh Quang Dyke.

In Thanh Cao Commune, Thanh Oai District, landslides appeared at six locations with curves of 5-10 metres in length and 3-3.5 metres in height. One of the curves encroached 2-3 metres to the riverside road.

The curves have been reportedly widening, posing a higher risk to nearby residential areas.

The municipal People’s Committee asked local authorities to restrict travel through the affected areas.

Agencies including the city’s departments of Agriculture, Finance, Investment and Planning were asked to arrange funds and carry out measures to fix and prevent landslide problems.

Local authorities and the city's Dyke Management and Storms Prevention and Control were asked to identify landslide areas and those prone to landslides. They were asked to prepare staff and equipment to ensure safety for dyke systems and people living in affected areas.

In May, the city also announced emergency situation in four suburban districts when landslides happened along the banks of the Đà River in Thái Hoà Commune of Ba Vì District, three communes – Tốt Động, Văn Võ and Hoà Chính – of Chương Mỹ District, Yên Sơn Commune of Quốc Oai District and along the Cà Lồ River’s bank in Đông Anh District.  

According to the city’s Agriculture and Rural Development, torrential rains, climate change impacts that have changed water flows and illegal sand mining worsened landslide problems in rivers in the city. The department last month identified sites vulnerable to landslides.

However, in such high-risk areas, illegal sand mining is still happening.

The department appointed constructors to study and develop responding plans and tackle landslides along the Đáy and Bùi rivers. — VNS