Land cracks, stretching approximately 500 meters, have emerged in cultivated areas near a stream in Chu Ty 4 village, Duc Co commune. In some locations, the ground has subsided, sliding towards lower terrain, burying crops and threatening surrounding agricultural land.
These fissures measure 30-60 centimeters wide and 1-1.5 meters deep. Notably, one specific spot in the garden of Nguyen Trung Dong, 58, plunges over 8 meters deep. The affected region primarily consists of land used for growing coffee, durian, cashew, and other crops.
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Cracks and landslides have appeared along the stream, burying many residents' crops. Photo: Ngoc Oanh
Dong stated that his family owns over one hectare of cultivated land, where they have grown around 300 coffee trees intercropped with cashews since 2019, alongside some banana trees. Numerous intricate cracks have now appeared, resulting in damage to approximately 200 coffee and cashew trees due to subsidence and landslides.
"The cracks began to appear in mid-August, following periods of heavy rainfall", Dong said. "Initially, they were just small fissures, but they widened with each subsequent rain". He noted that the land cracking has become increasingly severe, spreading to various parts of his garden.
Approximately one kilometer from Dong's cultivated land, a large sinkhole has formed, causing numerous rubber trees to collapse and posing a threat to a nearby livestock farm.
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Nguyen Trung Dong's coffee garden has a crack 8 meters deep. Photo: Ngoc Oanh
According to the Duc Co Communal People's Committee (UBND), a field inspection revealed multiple ground deformations, subsidence, and signs of sliding towards the stream. Some cultivated areas and irrigation pipes are located within or adjacent to the cracked zone, indicating a risk of damage if further landslides occur.
Local authorities have stated they lack sufficient information to determine the precise cause, the full depth of the affected land, or the potential for cracks to expand further. The commune has requested specialized agencies to conduct surveys and assessments to formulate a remedial plan.
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A rubber garden has been buried, and landslides threaten a livestock farm. Photo: Ngoc Oanh
As an immediate measure, local authorities have cordoned off dangerous areas with ropes and warning signs. Residents are advised to keep clear of cracks and landslide edges, especially during and after heavy rains. Activities such as excavation, leveling, accumulating heavy materials, or using heavy machinery in this zone are also restricted.
Beyond Duc Co commune, recent heavy rains have also triggered landslides and land subsidence in Gao and Ia Krel communes, burying numerous crops and impacting residents' agricultural land.
Tran Hoa
