This phenomenon has emerged over the past two weeks in the villages of Son Ha, Huoi Giang 1, Son Thanh, and Lu Thanh, formerly part of Ky Son district. Some single-story houses have developed cracks in their cement foundations, forming fissures 5-10 cm wide and 20-30 cm deep. Other homes have sunk 10-15 cm, with brick and mortar crumbling, causing the structures to tilt slightly. Outbuildings such as kitchens and animal sheds have also cracked around their foundations.

Vu Y Dia, a resident of Son Ha village, reported that a crack in his yard initially measured about one meter long, 3-5 cm wide, and 10 cm deep. Within a few days, the crack spread to the main house's foundation, widening to 10 cm and deepening to 15-20 cm. For over two weeks, his family has been staying with relatives.

Lo Dinh Thu, chairman of Muong Xen commune, stated that authorities have recorded six houses affected by subsidence and foundation cracks. Three families have received assistance in moving their belongings and temporarily relocating to relatives' homes. The remaining families are making temporary repairs and staying put, as relocation sites have not yet been arranged.

Experts believe the primary cause is heavy rainfall from the remnants of a typhoon, which has weakened the soil and destabilized the area's geology. This phenomenon directly impacts the structural integrity of the buildings, creating unsafe conditions and the potential for collapse if the situation worsens.

The People's Committee of Muong Xen commune is deploying officials to assess and document affected households while advising them to reinforce their homes and move belongings out of the danger zone.

In late July, typhoon Wipha brought heavy rain, flash floods, and landslides to Muong Xen and other mountainous communes formerly in Ky Son, Tuong Duong, and Con Cuong districts, burying numerous homes.

Duc Hung