Khe Sanh residents return home after 41 days following landslide

Twelve households in Khe Sanh commune have returned home after 41 days of evacuation due to a landslide, as the anti-landslide embankment behind their residential area, constructed by military personnel, is largely complete.

On the afternoon of 27/12, the earth embankment at the landslide area behind 12 houses in Hamlet 3A, Khe Sanh commune, was largely completed. At the construction site, trucks continuously dumped materials; bulldozers, excavators, and rollers operated in unison. Dozens of officers and soldiers from Division 968, Brigade 384, and Corps 12 were finalizing the last items, including the gabion base and drainage ditch.

The embankment is now over 80% complete, providing conditions for residents to return to normal life. To support households returning home, soldiers and police helped move their belongings back to their residences.

Nguyen Ngoc Bang Trinh's household suffered the most damage from the landslide. Half of her two-story house collapsed into the ravine behind it, burying many belongings. She stated that once the embankment is complete, she will rebuild the damaged section and hopes to receive State support for house repairs.

Several sanitation facilities behind the houses were buried by the landslide; residents plan to rebuild them after the embankment is finished. Tong Phuc Hoang said he can now live and conduct business here with peace of mind. "If we had to relocate, it would not be as convenient as having our homes reinforced and stable here", he stated.

Residents of Khe Sanh commune have begun returning to their homes after a 41-day evacuation caused by a landslide. The return follows the near completion of an anti-landslide embankment behind the residential area, constructed by military personnel, which has largely stabilized the affected site. This project brings relief to the 12 households displaced by the natural disaster.

Tong Nu Trang, one of the affected residents, expressed her relief upon returning home. She had temporarily stayed at the former office of the Huong Hoa District Labor Federation during the evacuation. With the embankment nearing completion, she returned to clean her house and resume her daily life. She has not yet reopened her rice restaurant but is cooking for the soldiers working on the project. "Before, I never thought a sturdy embankment could be built in the more than 20 m deep area behind my house. Now, even with heavy rain, I no longer worry about landslides", she said.

The project, with a total investment of 18 billion VND, is expected to be completed by 31/12. To date, soldiers have filled approximately 20,000 m3 of soil, reinforced the slope, built a surface drainage system to collect water in the residential area, and managed sanitation facilities. Units are continuing to excavate soil and lay a geotextile layer to reinforce the ground against landslides.

Soldiers installed pre-fabricated plastic ditches to collect wastewater and drain water along the embankment. "We are working continuously day and night, striving to complete the embankment so residents can return home soon", said soldier Le Quang Manh.

In addition to daytime work, the construction site is lit at night, allowing nearly 300 soldiers, along with 35 trucks, 6 excavators, 3 rollers, and 2 bulldozers, to work continuously until 22h.

Despite heavy rain and dense fog at night in recent days, soldiers maintained continuous construction. Nguyen Thai Cam Tu stated that thanks to the soldiers working late, the project is nearing completion, allowing residents to stabilize their lives.

The landslide occurred on 16-17/11, caused by heavy rain, leading to a subsidence behind the residential area on Hung Vuong street, Hamlet 3A, Khe Sanh commune. The affected area was approximately 170 m long, 15 m deep, and 30 m wide, covering over 5,000 m2. The disaster severely damaged two houses and threatened the safety of 10 adjacent homes, prompting authorities to evacuate the 12 households to the former office of the Huong Hoa District Labor Federation.

The Prime Minister addressed the issue during a national meeting to implement the "Quang Trung Campaign", criticizing Quang Tri province twice for its delayed response to the landslide and demanding an accountability review. Subsequently, local authorities commenced construction of the anti-landslide embankment on the afternoon of 15/12. After 11 days of intensive work, the project was largely completed, reinforcing and stabilizing the area behind the affected houses.

Eleven houses on Hung Vuong street and a guesthouse on Le Duan street, bordering a deep ravine at the rear, have been protected by the embankment. Most households built sturdy, multi-story, adjoining houses; the first floor is used for business, and the upper floors for living. Upon returning, residents have resumed their businesses, gradually stabilizing their lives.