The Da Nang authorities are mapping out plans to move a total of 478 families out of landslide-prone areas in the suburb districts of Hoa Vang and Cam Le, of which 158 homes are now in desperate need of moving to safety.

An area in Quan Nam 3 village, Hoa Lien Commune, Hoa Vang District, for many years is at a high risk of potential landslides due to the construction of the 4-lane La Son-Tuy Loan expressway

More recently, six families in Hoa Vang District living near the foot of a mountain which is at a high risk of landslides have been relocated to safer places of residence, and all of them were granted allowances by Da Nang government to cover their six-month housing rental charges. 

Constant levelling activities for construction in recent years on a hill northwest of the intersection of Truong Chinh Street and an approach path to the Hoa Cam overpass in Hoa Tho Tay Ward , Cam Le district, has been blamed for high chances of landslides there. During recent heavy rains, the down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity has posed a danger to nearby homes.

Slope movement may occur when forces acting down-slope (mainly due to gravity) exceed the strength of the earth materials that compose the slope. Causes include factors that increase the effects of down-slope forces and factors that contribute to low or reduced strength.

Ms Doan Thi Vien, a resident of Hoa Tho Tay Ward said: “In recent years, the excessive construction of many buildings and houses on the top of the hill as well as hillside has damaged rainwater drainage systems, which may lead to potential landslides. The daily life of locals living here has turned very unpleasant during rainy days. So, they are looking forwards to being relocated to safety with active support from Da Nang authorities”.

Also facing a high risk of landslides, residents living in an area in Quan Nam 3 village, Hoa Lien Commune, Hoa Vang District, for many years, have been very afraid of potential landslides due to the construction of the 4-lane La Son-Tuy Loan expressway, a part of the 3,183 km-long Ho Chi Minh Highway which runs through 28 Vietnamese localities. Villagers, therefore, suggested the city authorities facilitate the removal of their houses to safer places amidst fears over this type of natural disaster.

In a similar vein, many mountain-side houses in Hoa Son Commune, Hoa Vang District have expressed their anxiety over the fact that the side of the mountain are showing signs of cracking, which may result in landslides. 

According to Da Nang Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Mitigation and Control and Search and Rescue, the district-level authorities are formulating an urgent project to cope with potential landslides and specific plans to relocate those who live in areas highly vulnerable to landslides and flash floods over the 2021 - 2025 period

By HOANG HIEP- Translated by A.T