Around noon on 17/11, a tractor-trailer from Hue was traveling on Quoc lo 15D from the La Lay international border gate towards the interior. Authorities had erected barriers to prohibit vehicle traffic at the A Rong spillway bridge, where floodwaters were about 1 meter deep and flowing swiftly.

Tractor-trailer crosses barrier into floodwaters. *Video: Pham Nha*

While checkpoint staff were having lunch, the driver removed the barrier and proceeded across the spillway bridge. The tractor-trailer was swept about 30 meters downstream by floodwaters once it reached the middle of the bridge.

The driver managed to exit the cabin and climb onto the side of the vehicle, calling for help. However, within minutes, he was swept away by the floodwaters and disappeared. Rescue teams are currently searching for the victim.

A tractor-trailer is swept away while attempting to cross a swiftly flowing spillway bridge. *Photo: Van Do*

Heavy rainfall, ranging from 250-350 mm, has affected provinces from Ha Tinh to Khanh Hoa since the evening of 15/11 due to cold air and easterly wind disturbances. Quang Tri province experienced exceptionally heavy downpours over the past 12 hours, with specific measurements including 541 mm in Ta Rut, 379 mm in Dakrong, 372 mm in Khe Sanh, and 273 mm in Huong Phung.

The resulting floodwaters have submerged and isolated numerous rural roads in mountainous regions. Across Quang Tri, 53 locations are currently flooded and cut off. National routes report three flooded sections (0,2-0,4 meters deep), provincial roads have 9 sections (0,5-6 meters deep), and 41 inter-commune roads are impassable (0,5-1 meter deep). Additionally, 190 households, comprising 644 people in the low-lying areas of Huong Hiep and Nam Hai Lang communes, are experiencing flooding from 0,2-1,2 meters.

Landslides have also caused traffic congestion on Quoc lo 15D, particularly near the Don Bien phong cua khau quoc te La Lay and Don Bien phong Ba Nang border posts.

Dac Thanh