Vietnam’s Lam Dong declares emergency over landslides on Prenn Pass, gateway to Da Lat

Vice-chairman of the Lam Dong People’s Committee Nguyen Hong Hai signed the decision on Tuesday night declaring a natural disaster emergency on Prenn Pass following months of landslides along the route.

The emergency was attributed to the impacts of Typhoons No. 4 and 5 and a tropical depression.

Prolonged heavy rains from August through September 20 caused soil and rocks to slide at several locations along the Prenn Pass section of National Highway 20 in Xuan Huong - Da Lat Ward.

The most dangerous location is about 4km from Da Lat Bus Station.

At around 4:00 pm on September 19, soil, rocks and at least three large boulders fell from the uphill slope onto the road, blocking traffic and directly threatening motorists traveling through the pass.

It was the eighth landslide at the location since June. The 20-25m-high slope remains at risk of further collapse.

On September 21, chairman of the Lam Dong People’s Committee Ho Van Muoi inspected the site and ordered relevant agencies to urgently declare an emergency situation to facilitate preventive and remedial measures.

The provincial administration has ordered relevant forces to maintain 24-hour monitoring at the site and track ground movement, cracks and further landslides.

A specialized excavator has been stationed at the site to clear soil and rocks that fall onto the road, while concrete blocks have been placed to prevent mud from flowing onto the roadway.

The provincial Department of Construction has been tasked with surveying and assessing the extent, scope and causes of the landslide and promptly proposing remedial measures.

The administration of Xuan Huong - Da Lat Ward has been ordered to deploy personnel to monitor the site, regulate traffic and stand ready to conduct search and rescue operations.