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– Road closures and landslides have gradually become a habit for us, says farmer Kjartan Steine in Osa.
The landslide on the road between Osa and Ulvik was reported at 0930 hours today, closing the road to all traffic. Photo: Dagfinn Sygnestveit
On Sunday morning, a new landslide occurred on the exposed road between Ulvik and Osa in Hardanger. This means County Road 5374, which is the only road into town with 30-40 people, is closed.
On Monday, a geologist will survey the area before the path can be cleared. It is not known when that may happen.
Insert passenger ship
The landslide is 20-30 meters wide and closes off all traffic.
The town of Osa is located at the end of the Osafjord, about eight kilometers northeast of the center of Ulvik.
Many people who live in Osa depend on the road to get to work or school. Ulvik Municipality is now deploying a passenger ship that can carry people.
Farmer Kjartan Steine has his job in Osa and is most concerned with those who depend on travel outside the village, school and work. Photo: Fred Ivar Utsi Klemetsen (archive)
Mayor Hans Petter Thorbjørnsen (Labor Party) in Ulvik worked on Sunday morning to find solutions.
– Now on Sunday afternoon we send the first boat to Osa. A group of hunters entered just half an hour before the landslide. Now they must go home. Their cars must be left behind, says Thorbjørnsen.
– Terribly steep
On Monday morning, a new boat is sent to pick up people for school and work.
– In addition, we are now working to manage the situation of those who need home help and need other municipal help, says Thorbjørnsen.
In recent years, there have been several landslides on the stretch, and in recent months, Mesta has carried out extensive landslide prevention work in the area.
– The terrain is terribly steep. It is not possible to ensure absolutely. But now significant work is being done to make the road safer, says Thorbjørnsen.
In recent years there have been several landslides on the stretch. Photo: Dagfinn Sygnestveit
– it has become a habit
Farmer Kjartan Steine lives in one of the first houses to be reached in Osa. He has a job on the farm and doesn’t need to go to Ulvik on Monday.
– But for those who depend on commuting, it is difficult. And this isn’t the first time a landslide has closed the road, says Steine.
– Are you afraid to use the road to Ulvik?
– No, not really. It is an exposed section, especially when it rains a lot. Living with danger has become a habit, Steine says.
