The 13 October 2020 Ranger Station-7 Landslide

At approximately 0:00 AM on 13 October 2020, a rapid rainfall-induced landslide occurred in Phong Xuan commune, Phong Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province, sweeping over Ranger Station No. 7 and claiming the lives of 13 rescue team members, including 11 army officers and 2 district officials. Field evidence and topographic analysis indicate that the Ranger Station No. 7 landslide involved an estimated volume of about 81,550 m³, comprising two distinct blocks in the lower and upper slope parts. The failure initiated in the lower slope section, accompanied by a loud sound, which subsequently triggered the collapse of the upper part. The 13 October event was associated with extreme rainfall, with a cumulative amount of 2,190.2 mm recorded at the A Luoi rainfall station between 6 and 12 October. The landslide mass rapidly moved downslope, destroying the ranger station located 145 m from the landslide toe. The displaced materials not only accumulated on the rupture surface but also extended beyond the toe, spreading into the stream channel and covering a flat downslope area of approximately 2.25 ha.