Floods and landslides hit central Vietnam, Khanh Hoa worst affected

THE HANOI TIMES — The authorities of Lam Dong Province in the Central Highlands on November 20 declared a natural disaster emergency after severe landslides damaged sections of National Highway 20, cutting off Mimosa Pass, a key gateway into Da Lat City.

The emergency covers two critical stretches: Km226+600 to Km226+800 on Mimosa Pass and Km249+932 to Km249+968.

Heavy rainfall from November 15 to 19 caused the roadbed to collapse late on November 19. At the first location, about 70 meters of roadway slid away, leaving a 40-meter drop and completely severing the road surface and embankment. At the second site, 36 meters of slope slipped, causing the road to subside by 30 centimeters.

Provincial authorities immediately installed warning signs, relocated nearby households and set up 24/7 monitoring for further erosion.

The Lam Dong Department of Construction was tasked with coordinating traffic, maintaining on-site safety and working with Project Management Unit 85 to evaluate the damage and recommend emergency repairs. Police, militia and rescue teams are stationed around the clock to assist with evacuation and traffic control.

Earlier, on November 17, Prenn Pass, another southern gateway into Da Lat, was fully closed due to a landslide triggered by heavy rains.

Emergency aid flows to flood-hit Central provinces

In Dak Lak and Gia Lai, public security forces are delivering essential goods to residents isolated by severe flooding. On November 20, the Dak Lak Department of Public Security transported 10 tons of supplies, deploying 122 vehicles and 40 boats to assist affected communities. The floods have caused one death, destroyed eight houses, inundated nearly 23,000 homes and forced over 7,700 households to evacuate.

In Gia Lai, police partnered with benefactors to prepare more than 16,000 meals for flood-isolated areas. From November 17 to 20, forces evacuated over 12,000 people and rescued more than 500, continuing to respond to emerging emergencies.

On November 19, more than 300 officers and soldiers from Navy Region 4 and the Naval Academy were dispatched with rescue gear to communities in flood-hit Khanh Hoa.

Torrential rains and upstream reservoir releases have flooded homes, leaving residents stranded. Troops reached Cam Lam Commune at 3 AM on November 20, rescuing nine people trapped by rising waters. The Khanh Hoa hydro-meteorological station warned that heavy rainfall will persist through November 21, with river levels threatening to break historic flood records.

Central region death toll rises to 14

Severe rains have caused landslides, floods and transport disruptions across the central region, leaving at least 14 dead or missing. Khanh Hoa reported the heaviest toll with seven confirmed dead and two missing. In Danang, three people are missing, one each in Quang Tri and Hue. Nearly 15,000 houses are flooded, and around 5,900 residents have been evacuated. Hundreds of national and provincial road sections are submerged or blocked by landslides.

As of November 19, the Central Relief Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front has received nearly VND1.4 trillion (US$53 million) in donations, disbursing VND600 billion ($23 million) across 21 provinces and cities to assist storm- and flood-hit communities.