Pe Ke Pass has been cleared for one lane of traffic. Photo: Duong Huy

According to Thua Thien Hue Road Management and Construction Joint Stock Company, recent heavy rains caused a large volume of soil and rock to slide from the hill, spilling onto the Ho Chi Minh Highway at the position of Km 317+150 of the Pe Ke Pass, leading to traffic congestion.

At the site, approximately 60m3 of soil and rock along with many trees had slid from the upslope down onto the Ho Chi Minh Highway. Immediately upon receiving information about the landslide on the pass, Thua Thien Hue Road Management and Construction Joint Stock Company organized work teams, deployed workers, set up a traffic safety barrier system at the landslide site on the upslope that caused the blockage, and mobilized machinery and personnel to handle the situation.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, Chairman of the People's Committee of A Luoi 1 Commune, stated that the locality had coordinated with the road management unit to issue traffic warnings, handle the landslide site, and reopen one lane of traffic on the Ho Chi Minh Highway at 9:30am on the same day.

 It is expected that the remaining 15 landslide sites that are blocking the Ho Chi Minh Highway will be cleared on the morning of Nov 6. Photo: Duong Huy

Currently, there are still 15 uncleared landslide spots on the Ho Chi Minh Highway. The road management unit has mobilized a force of 100 workers along with vehicles and machinery, gathering at key locations, and being ready to participate in flood damage recovery work. The critical areas are mainly located on the Ho Chi Minh Highway (the Western branch).

It is expected that on the morning of November 6, the remaining 15 blocked landslide spots on the Ho Chi Minh Highway will be cleared for one lane of traffic, relieving the traffic congestion. The clearance of one lane of traffic is to allow large trucks carrying personnel and materials to access and repair the landslide incident, and for the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam to inspect the damaged viaduct at Km 396+050 on the Western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Highway.

By HA NGUYEN