The severely damaged section of national route 1, located north of Deo Ca tunnel in Dak Lak, reopened for two-way traffic by 16h on 22/11, according to Road Management Zone 3 of the Vietnam Road Administration. Repairs to the entire damaged road surface are expected to conclude by tonight, which will further alleviate congestion on the route.

This reopening follows a major incident that occurred around 17h on 21/11, when heavy rain caused significant erosion and subsidence on national route 1. A section of the road, approximately 9 m wide, was deeply gouged, creating a large crater. This forced authorities to close the road for safety. The closure, coupled with landslides and deep flooding on many nearby routes, left drivers with limited alternatives. As a result, traffic converged on national route 1, leading to jams spanning tens of kilometers through Dak Lak from last night until today.

Traffic jam stretching over 20 km on national route 1 near Deo Ca, Dak Lak, at noon on 22/11. *Thanh Tung*.

Following the incident, Road Management Zone 3 and maintenance units worked through the night on repairs. By this morning, one lane was opened, but the heavy traffic volume still caused severe congestion. Tens of thousands of trucks, 4-9 seat cars, and passenger buses formed long queues, unable to move.

Beyond the primary affected area, another section of national route 1 in Dak Lak province (km1253+100) also sustained damage from the floods. By the afternoon of 22/11, one lane was opened at this location, with repairs ongoing. Meanwhile, national route 1 through Gia Lai province has been fully reopened, which has helped to ease traffic pressure on that particular route.

Further north, in Quang Ngai, traffic on national route 1 is currently disrupted due to a landslide and is undergoing repairs. Authorities anticipate opening one lane in this area by 17h on 23/11. Vehicles are currently being diverted to local roads to bypass the affected section.

Dense traffic congestion on national route 1 through Dong Hoa Ward (formerly Phu Yen), Dak Lak, at noon on 22/11. *Thanh Tung*.

The impact of the heavy rains extends beyond national route 1, with several other routes in Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak, and Lam Dong also cut off by landslides. A major incident at Khanh Le Pass, for example, led to the closure of national route 27C, which connects Da Lat and Nha Trang, since 17/11. Traffic police are directing vehicles along two alternative routes: from Khanh Hoa via national route 1 - national route 27 - Lien Khuong - Prenn Expressway to Da Lat; or national route 1 - national route 26 - national route 27. However, many sections of these main roads are deeply flooded and damaged, forcing traffic police to flexibly restrict vehicles and causing congestion at multiple points.

Towards Lam Dong, a 70 m landslide section on Mimosa Pass (national route 20) remains unrepaired. Consequently, all vehicles are being diverted via national route 20, 27, and provincial road DT.725. This diversion has made national route 27 the primary link between Phan Rang and Da Lat, leading to overload due to the large volume of diverted vehicles.

According to the Vietnam Road Administration, exceptionally heavy rain and floods in recent days have caused severe inundation and landslides, disrupting traffic at hundreds of locations on national routes across the Central region. Despite maximum mobilization of personnel and equipment for repairs, the extensive and widespread damage means that over 10 points remain deeply flooded and blocked today.

Road management forces are maintaining a 24-hour presence at key locations to guide and divert traffic, as well as to warn residents about hazardous areas. At locations where water has receded, units will regulate traffic in sections to reduce congestion and ensure safety.

Giang Anh