Landslides and Flooding Disrupt Key Roads in Lai Châu and Lào Cai Provinces
According to the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Lai Châu, landslides have occurred along key transport routes, including National Highway 4D, the connecting road to the Nội Bài – Lào Cai Expressway, and several provincial roads such as Routes 129, 131, and 133.
Specifically, on National Highway 4D, landslides and sinkholes have appeared in three locations between km22 and km25+500 in Lản Nhì Thàng Commune, Phong Thổ District. At km76 in Sơn Bình Commune, Tam Đường District, the road is currently blocked, making it impassable to all vehicles. Additionally, a landslide has occurred at km134 on the connecting road from Lai Châu to the Hà Nội – Lào Cai Expressway, in Nà Khum Hamlet, Bản Hon Commune, Tam Đường District.
Local authorities have placed warning signs, cordoned off the affected areas, and implemented traffic diversions to ensure safety and regulate traffic flow.
(Photo credit: VOV News)
Heavy rainfall has also triggered landslides at km5+200 on Provincial Road 133; km13+400, 13+470, and km13+770 on Provincial Road 129; and km1+350 on Provincial Road 131. As a result, traffic between Lai Châu City and the districts of Phong Thổ, Sìn Hồ, and Tân Uyên is temporarily disrupted. Local forces are working on clearing debris, while transport infrastructure agencies have mobilized machinery and personnel to carry out emergency restoration.
Ongoing rainfall continues to hamper recovery efforts in the affected areas.
(Photo credit: VOV News)
One Missing, Major Landslides on National Highway 4D in Lào Cai
According to the Lào Cai Road Maintenance Authority, on the morning of June 8, heavy rain and thunderstorms caused widespread flooding and large-scale landslides in Mường Khương District, severely impacting National Highway 4D.
An estimated 2,000 cubic meters of earth and rock, including massive boulders, collapsed onto the road, completely blocking traffic.
Landslide scene at Km198+900, National Highway 4D
(Photo credit: Lào Cai News)
Several large rock masses on the upper talus slope have cracked, posing a risk of further collapse and serious traffic hazards.
Upon receiving the report, the Department of Construction directed the Road Maintenance Management Board to immediately inspect the scene and implement a response plan.
By 3:00 PM the same day, machinery and workers had been deployed to begin initial clearing operations and open a temporary path for vehicles.
Excavators working urgently to clear the landslide site
(Photo credit: Lào Cai News)
By 6:00 PM, authorities had managed to reopen one lane for small cars and motorbikes to pass through the affected area. Clearing operations are ongoing to ensure complete restoration of safe traffic flow.
Meanwhile, according to Mường Khương District’s Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Committee, at around 1:00 PM on June 8, Mr. Vương Đức Hùng, a resident of Na Khui Hamlet, Mường Khương Town, was swept away by floodwaters while trying to retrieve seedlings from a stream.
Local authorities immediately launched a search and rescue operation. As of now, the victim has not been found.
