This mountain route is a road I ride probably 3 or 4 times a year just to get out of the village, into the hills and see what's new. Yesterday I was told it was closed so decided to make a morning journey and see what new problems the recent rain storms have brought to this already badly damaged road.
Almost 3 years ago the big rains that swelled the Kok River causing large amounts of flood damage also took a toll on the Lahu villages up on the 1314 with a few homes destroyed and swept away down the mountain. Large amounts of government funds were used and are still being committed to major repairs and it's probably more to do with the military presence on the border than it is to the welfare of the hilltribes that live in this area. A few months back I made comment about the introduction of a big number of orange farms and the destruction of the forest and larger fruit trees that once made up the income for the locals. On that last trip I took pictures of the big repair that had been started in the Lahu village where the road reaches maximum elevation and it was obvious it was a long term project but one lane had been kept open and traffic flowed.
This is the location, a place that cuts the village in two and as you’d expect from the locals they have already pushed the concrete road barriers slightly apart and are riding Honda Waves through whats supposed to be a footpath only. I must admit to being surprised by the scale of the job they are now looking at.
On the left you can see the tiny bit left of what was once the road that was being worked on. The road coming in from the right is now a good 2 foot lower, the break being caused by a complete slump of the soft wet soil, not by falling debris.
This shot shows quite plainly that whats left of the original road is soft, cracked and also ready to drop with further rain.
This shows just how far down they had already gone down in an attempt to consolidate the mountain soil and at the moment that work has been stopped, presumably to get the experts in to re-assess just what can be done. There doesnt appear to be any rock under the earth and it all looks pretty unstable if another big rain hits soon.
Thankfully its not a busy road and isnt a vital link to anywhere important and I wouldnt plan on a proper highway being in place any time in the year 2026!
Almost 3 years ago the big rains that swelled the Kok River causing large amounts of flood damage also took a toll on the Lahu villages up on the 1314 with a few homes destroyed and swept away down the mountain. Large amounts of government funds were used and are still being committed to major repairs and it's probably more to do with the military presence on the border than it is to the welfare of the hilltribes that live in this area. A few months back I made comment about the introduction of a big number of orange farms and the destruction of the forest and larger fruit trees that once made up the income for the locals. On that last trip I took pictures of the big repair that had been started in the Lahu village where the road reaches maximum elevation and it was obvious it was a long term project but one lane had been kept open and traffic flowed.
This is the location, a place that cuts the village in two and as you’d expect from the locals they have already pushed the concrete road barriers slightly apart and are riding Honda Waves through whats supposed to be a footpath only. I must admit to being surprised by the scale of the job they are now looking at.
On the left you can see the tiny bit left of what was once the road that was being worked on. The road coming in from the right is now a good 2 foot lower, the break being caused by a complete slump of the soft wet soil, not by falling debris.
This shot shows quite plainly that whats left of the original road is soft, cracked and also ready to drop with further rain.
This shows just how far down they had already gone down in an attempt to consolidate the mountain soil and at the moment that work has been stopped, presumably to get the experts in to re-assess just what can be done. There doesnt appear to be any rock under the earth and it all looks pretty unstable if another big rain hits soon.
Thankfully its not a busy road and isnt a vital link to anywhere important and I wouldnt plan on a proper highway being in place any time in the year 2026!
