Following heavy rain this morning, a large amount of sand and soil flowed down onto the expressway near the Trung Liem hamlet overpass (formerly in Ham Thuan Bac district, Binh Thuan province) on the northbound side, about 300 meters from the 2/9 landslide.

The section of the Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet expressway where the landslide occurred on the morning of 7/9. Photo: Viet Quoc

The sand covered a 50-meter stretch of the road, reaching a depth of nearly 0.5 meters. It accumulated along the edge of the expressway and drainage ditch, not covering the entire road. Vehicles could still pass through the area at reduced speeds.

Above the affected area is a natural rocky slope, now showing two large erosion marks. The surrounding land has numerous pits, suggesting sand removal. Authorities suspect illegal sand mining in the area.

Above the source of the sand flow, there are numerous jagged pits filled with water, suspected to be the result of illegal mining activities that caused the landslide. Photo: Viet Quoc

The expressway management board dispatched vehicles and equipment to clear the sand, placing warning signs before and along the affected area.

Nguyen Van Hung, chairman of the Ham Liem People's Committee, was present at the scene and ordered an inspection of the suspected illegal sand mining areas.

An excavator is reinforcing the embankment to prevent water and sand from flowing onto the expressway at the site of the previous landslide. Photo: Viet Quoc

At the site of the previous landslide, the communal authorities collaborated with Project Management Unit 7 to bring in excavators to dig soil to block the flow at the expressway fence, build a dike to divert the flow, and create a reservoir for rainwater.

"In addition to diverting the flow above the land, we have proposed that the project management board build a higher wall to prevent floodwaters from carrying sand onto the expressway," Hung said.

Route of the Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet expressway. Graphics: Dang Hieu

The over-100-km Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet expressway, opened in 5/2023, is part of the North-South Expressway's eastern section. The four-lane expressway, with a maximum speed of 90 km/h, will be expanded to six lanes with a design speed of 120 km/h. It's a vital transportation link connecting south-central Vietnam with the southeast, shortening travel time between Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Viet Quoc