On the evening of 3/12, Gia Bac Pass, which connects Binh Thuan and Di Linh (Lam Dong), experienced several major landslides. Mud and soil from the mountain slope covered the road surface, making it impassable for vehicles.

Authorities recorded at least 5 landslide points. One large-scale slide occurred in the middle of the pass, where earth, rocks, and forest trees from the uphill slope collapsed, burying the entire road.

Rocks and soil collapsed on Gia Bac Pass through Son Dien commune, Lam Dong province, on the evening of 3/12. Photo: Son Dien

Vu Duc Nhuan, Chairman of Son Dien Commune People's Committee, stated that the heavy rain created a very high risk of further landslides. "Local forces can only block vehicles at both ends of the pass; they cannot yet address the situation due to the significant danger", he said.

Lam Dong Provincial Traffic Police and local police established checkpoints on both sides to regulate traffic and guide vehicles away from the dangerous area. The landslides completely paralyzed national highway 28 through Gia Bac Pass, forcing authorities to instruct vehicles to turn back.

Last November, Gia Bac Pass also experienced landslides due to heavy rain and storms. Lam Dong province had declared a natural disaster emergency and allocated funds for remediation to ensure traffic flow on the route.

Viet Quoc