The request was made by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung on 21/11 during a working session with the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, following an inspection of severe rain and flood damage in D'ran commune. He specifically called for the Da Nhim hydropower plant to calculate and provide support to affected residents.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung at the meeting. *Photo: Khanh Huong*

The devastating floods occurred late on 19/11, caused by heavy rain combined with Don Duong Lake (managed by Da Nhim - Ham Thuan - Da Mi Hydropower Company) discharging over 2,500 cubic meters per second. This event severely damaged residential areas at the foot of the dam in D'ran and Ka Do.

Residents' property damaged after flash floods. *Photo: Thai An*

The floods triggered landslides and inundated all 31 hamlets, with water levels rising one to three meters. This submerged 756 homes, and more than 15 homes collapsed or were swept away. Authorities evacuated 600 people and rescued 165 individuals.

Deputy Prime Minister Dung urged the immediate arrangement of safe resettlement areas for households whose homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. Regarding the Mimosa Pass landslide, he requested accelerated repairs, aiming to reopen the road within 10 days. He also proposed inviting experts to assess landslide causes on mountain passes to develop preventive measures.

A central government support fund of 200 billion dong must be disbursed immediately for the province to address the consequences. Local authorities are continuing to assess the damage, prioritizing support for livelihoods, homes, and crops.

Recent rain and floods in Lam Dong caused four deaths, one missing person, and one injury, leading to the evacuation of more than 1,137 households. Approximately 1,640 hectares of crops, primarily vegetables, were damaged across the province, with significant losses in D'ran (300 ha), Ka Do (150 ha), Quang Lap (150 ha), and Quang Phu (over 50 ha).

The province recorded 33 landslide points, and many roads were deeply submerged and cut off, hindering rescue efforts and the transportation of essential goods. Initial damage to homes, crops, livestock, and aquaculture is estimated at approximately 1,000 billion dong.

Khanh Huong - Truong Ha