The Lam Dong Province People's Committee on September 22 declared a natural disaster emergency and issued an order for urgent construction works at a landslide site on the uphill embankment along Prenn Pass on National Highway 20, in Xuan Huong - Dalat Ward.
Earlier, from August to September 20, Xuan Huong - Dalat Ward experienced prolonged heavy rain. This weakened the geological foundation and heightened the risk of landslides along Prenn Pass.
The uphill embankment landslide site on Prenn Pass in Dalat (Photo: Minh Hau).
According to the Lam Dong Province Department of Construction, the uphill embankment slope from Km224+900 to Km225+250 on Prenn Pass is 20-25 metres high and about 120 metres long. The geology is complex, with soil mixed with isolated rocks, leaving the slope broadly unstable.
Since June, the area has seen multiple landslides, disrupting traffic. On the afternoon of September 19, after heavy rain, three boulders from the uphill embankment crashed onto the road surface. No casualties were reported.
The Lam Dong Province People's Committee ordered relevant agencies to station personnel at the landslide site, install warning signs, divert traffic and closely monitor any movement of soil and rock.
Authorities erect danger warning signs at the landslide area (Photo: Minh Hau).
The Department of Construction is tasked with proposing an emergency works plan, including cutting back the slope to ensure overall stability. The embankment area will also be reinforced using modern technology.
The project is expected to cost nearly VND 16 billion (USD 615,000) funded from the province's natural disaster prevention budget and balancing funds.
