VI
EN
Lam Dong province has officially issued a decision declaring a state of emergency due to natural disaster for the Mimosa Pass section (Km226+600 to Km226+800) and a section on National Highway 20, after the area suffered devastating landslides due to prolonged heavy rain and flooding.
At approximately 11:50 PM on November 19th, at Km 226+500 on the Mimosa Pass, heading from Duc Trong to Da Lat, a section of road completely collapsed and fractured. According to reports, the entire road surface was split in two by a giant sinkhole, estimated to be about 50 meters wide, 30 meters deep, and with a collapse length of approximately 100 meters. This is a critical damage that severed a vital transportation route.
Mimosa Pass completely collapsed; Lam Dong authorities urgently deploy rescue efforts.
At the time of the incident, several vehicles, including a 45-seater passenger bus, managed to stop just in time at the edge of the ravine. Immediately afterward, rescue forces were deployed urgently, promptly providing assistance and pulling the bus out of the dangerous position.
On the morning of November 20th, the People's Committee of Lam Dong province promptly issued a decision officially declaring a state of emergency. The cause was identified as the impact of heavy and prolonged rainfall from the evening of November 15th to the morning of November 19th, which saturated the soil and caused serious landslides at two key locations.
Mimosa Pass (Km226+600 to Km226+800) continues to experience landslides along the roadbed, surface, and embankment slopes, spanning approximately 70m in length and 40m in depth, completely severing the roadbed. This is within the area affected by the landslide on November 18th. National Highway 20 (Km249+932 to Km249+968) includes landslides along the embankment slopes, spanning approximately 36m in length and 6m in depth, with the road surface subsiding by about 30cm, posing a potential risk of widening.
Location of landslide on Mimosa Pass on the night of November 19th.
Lam Dong province has requested the immediate implementation of emergency measures including lockdowns and the placement of warning signs, strictly prohibiting unauthorized persons and vehicles from entering the area. Simultaneously, emergency evacuation (even forced evacuation if necessary) of households in foothill and mountainous areas at high risk of landslides is being carried out to ensure safety. Personnel are being stationed 24/7 to closely monitor landslide developments. Traffic diversion and lane changes are being implemented to ensure traffic safety and minimize traffic flow.
The Vietnam Road Administration has also issued an urgent dispatch to road management units and provinces in Central and Central Highlands regions, including Lam Dong, because the risk of landslides and flooding remains very high due to forecasts of continued heavy rain (for example, some areas in Dak Lak may receive over 300 mm).
Tourists should take note when planning to travel through this section of road for their own safety.
For tourists planning a trip to Da Lat and surrounding provinces, it is crucial to strictly adhere to traffic signs and directions from authorities, and to avoid areas that have been cordoned off. Furthermore, tourists should regularly check weather and traffic conditions through official media before departure. Tour operators should proactively adjust itineraries, avoiding mountain passes with a high risk of landslides, and prioritizing passenger safety.
A concerted effort is being made by all departments and agencies, from the Department of Construction to the Police, the Provincial Military Command, and other relevant units, to address the incident, restore traffic in the short term, and ensure the absolute safety of the people. However, the situation remains complex and requires a high level of vigilance from everyone.
