Urgent landslide operations underway

Heavy rains on November 16 and 17 triggered landslides across several roads in Khanh Hoa Province, leading to traffic congestion and posing risks to travelers. The Department of Construction has conducted a review and formulated an urgent plan to repair the affected areas and reopen the roads, especially the National Highway 27C and Provincial Road 9.

Severe damages

On November 16–17, heavy rains triggered landslides at Khanh Le Pass (National Highway 27C) and Khanh Son Pass (Provincial Road 9), disrupting travel. On National Highway 27B, fallen trees blocked traffic but were cleared by the Road Management Unit on November 17. Landslides also affected seven sections of Song Pha Pass (National Highway 27), while floodwaters overflowed Sung and Suoi Khao bridges on Provincial Road 8. Warning signs and barricades were set up to ensure safety.

Landslide at Km44 on Khanh Le Pass.

Flooding impacted several other routes, including Provincial Road 2, Huong Lo 39, Huong Lo 62, and the Song Cau–Yang Bay road, where checkpoints restricted access. On Provincial Road 707, strong winds and rain damaged sections by toppling trees and power poles. Meanwhile, the Tran Binh Trong Bridge in Ta Luong Village, Khanh Son Commune, was swept away, causing traffic disruption.

According to Nguyen Van Vinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Construction, currently, the most serious landslides are on Khanh Le Pass and Khanh Son Pass. The total damage caused by floods to the province's traffic infrastructure has not yet been fully estimated. The Department of Construction has announced a ban on people and vehicles traveling through National Highway 27C (Khanh Hoa Province) and Provincial Road 9 to ensure traffic safety (except for vehicles involved in flood relief or search and rescue operations). The ban is from 11:30 a.m. on November 17 until further notice.

The Department of Construction of Lam Dong Province is requested to notify transport enterprises, the Provincial Police to preside over and coordinate with the Department of Construction and localities to effectively implement the road closure plan, ensure order and traffic safety.

Landslide operation on Khanh Le Pass.

Urgent landslide recovery operations 

Immediately after the serious landslide at Km45 on Khanh Le Pass, the Department of Construction directed the maintenance unit and relevant departments and offices to coordinate with local authorities and functional agencies to provide emergency relief and transporting victims to hospital, while mobilizing maximum machinery, equipment and human resources to remove fallen trees and clear the road ensuring the earliest possible reopening to support rescue efforts and disaster prevention and control along the route.

Up to now, the landslide has been cleared by the maintenance unit at the following locations: Km42, Km43, Km45 (the location of the accident) and Km52. However, the remaining sections at Km44 and Km47 have not yet been cleared due to the large volume of debris, which has made it difficult for machinery and personnel to access the scene.

To urgently address the situation at Km44, the Department of Construction has instructed the maintenance unit to deploy flycam technology to assess the scene and develop appropriate technical solutions. If weather permits, the maintenance unit will promptly address this landslide site to reopen the entire route as quickly as possible. In addition, the Department of Construction has instructed the unit to deploy more large excavators, trucks, and personnel to accelerate clearance efforts.

Regarding the landslide at Km21+900 on Provincial Road 9, the Department of Construction instructed the maintenance unit to work with rescue teams and local authorities to urgently clear debris, search for missing persons, and carry out repairs. The road has been cleared up to Km18, and work is ongoing at Km21+900. Efforts are also underway to access two additional landslide sites in order to restore traffic as soon as possible.

Landslide clearance on National Highway 27.

Le Huyen, Vice-Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, has instructed the Department of Construction to urgently assess the volume of landslide debris, particularly on National Highway 27C, Provincial Road 9, and National Highway 27. Based on this assessment, a plan will be developed to mobilize machinery and human resources to address the landslides as quickly as possible. If weather conditions are favorable, the roads are expected to be cleared within two to three days.

Once the route is reopened, the Department of Construction must coordinate with relevant units to urgently develop a plan for repairing all damaged sections. Regarding the landslide on Khanh Le Pass, the Provincial People's Committee has directed agencies to work closely with local authorities to mobilize maximum forces and equipment for rescue and relief operations, while ensuring absolute safety for all personnel involved. The Committee has also assigned the Provincial Police to lead and coordinate with relevant units in urgently investigating the cause of the incident, especially compliance with flood prevention warnings and instructions.

V.K

Translated by N.T