Residents Live in Fear Under Unrepaired Landslide Zone on National Highway 14

Residents in the Bac Gia Nghia ward of Lam Dong province are living in constant anxiety due to an ongoing landslide on National Highway 14. The significant landslip, which occurred in August 2023, has yet to be fully repaired, leaving a section of the vital highway blocked and posing a continuous threat to nearby homes.

The landslide, located between Km1900+350 and 1900+650, forced the immediate evacuation of 16 households. Currently, the affected stretch of the highway is cordoned off, preventing vehicle access. Traffic heading towards Dak Lak from Ho Chi Minh City must now use the opposing lane, while traffic in the other direction is consolidated into a single lane, causing disruptions.

Beneath the unstable slope, homes are precariously situated. Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, a resident for nearly 30 years, described living in fear since the incident. Although his family was temporarily relocated, they returned to their home due to uncertainty about their future. The landslide damaged his property's rear wall, and he expressed frustration over the lack of action. "I hope the relevant authorities will resolve this issue definitively," he stated. "If they relocate us, it should be to a better place. If we are to stay, the landslide must be fixed. Living like this, day and night, in constant worry, makes even repairing our house impossible."

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I hope the relevant authorities will resolve this issue definitively. If they relocate us, it should be to a better place. If we are to stay, the landslide must be fixed. Living like this, day and night, in constant worry, makes even repairing our house impossible.

Another resident, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phat, has rented accommodation elsewhere because her house is too close to the unstable ground. The landslide damaged her property's wall and foundation, rendering nearly half of her home unusable. "I hope all levels of government will urgently repair the road and help residents fix their damaged homes so we can live with peace of mind," she said. "The monthly rent is an added expense, and we cannot even live in our own homes."

Mr. Trinh Anh, Chairman of the Bac Gia Nghia People's Committee, acknowledged the local government's concern over the unresolved landslide. He indicated that repairs might not begin for at least another three months.

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I hope all levels of government will urgently repair the road and help residents fix their damaged homes so we can live with peace of mind. The monthly rent is an added expense, and we cannot even live in our own homes.