200-ton cargo train deployed to block floods, protect railway bridge in Lam Dong

Four cargo carriages, weighing nearly 200 tons, were dispatched to anchor the Ma Lam - Long Thanh railway bridge on 4/12, after floodwaters rose and submerged the bridge's bearings and beams.

Heavy rain, combined with regulated discharges from upstream reservoirs, caused river levels in the Lam Dong area to rise, inundating sections of the North-South railway. By 8:30 a.m., water covered the tracks by 7-8 cm in the Long Thanh - Song Luy section. The railway management unit reduced train speeds to 5 km/h for safety.

Water levels continued to rise rapidly, overflowing to the bearings and beams of the Ma Lam - Long Thanh bridge. This 50-meter bridge, spanning the Cai River downstream of Song Quao Lake, faced threat from floodwaters. Consequently, the railway sector sealed off the section and temporarily halted train operations.

Rapidly flowing water at Ma Lam railway bridge. Video: VNR

By noon, four cargo carriages, weighing nearly 200 tons, were moved onto the bridge. This provided ballast to stabilize its structure. Authorities maintained a 24-hour presence at critical points. During the closure, some passenger and cargo trains on the North-South route may experience delays or altered schedules.

This marks the 5th time this rainy season the railway sector has used cargo carriages to weigh down bridges against floods. Previous incidents occurred at: Song Thuong Bridge (Bac Ninh), Bach Ho and Gia Vien bridges (Hue City), and Luat Le 1 and Luat Le 2 bridges (Gia Lai).