Prenn Pass, Gateway to Da Lat, Declared Emergency Zone After Major Landslide

Lam Dong province has declared an emergency situation for Prenn Pass, a key gateway to the tourist city of Da Lat, following a major landslide. The decision was announced on September 22. Weeks of heavy rain in August and September have caused frequent landslides and rockfalls at multiple locations along Prenn Pass. Particularly on the afternoon of September 19, large amounts of soil and rocks fell from a slope onto the road near the middle of the pass, posing a direct threat to traffic safety and the lives of commuters. The area is at risk of further landslides if timely measures are not taken. A survey by the Department of Construction indicates that the landslide occurred on a cut slope approximately 20-25 meters high and 120 meters long, with unstable geological conditions. To ensure safety, the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee has mandated urgent measures, including the installation of warning signs, speed limits, the deployment of observers, and a ban on unauthorized personnel entering the dangerous zone. Relevant agencies are required to monitor the situation 24/7, track landslide developments, and manage traffic flow. The Department of Construction has proposed a plan to excavate and stabilize the slope at the landslide site, followed by reinforcement using double-twisted steel wire mesh combined with steel cables and polymer-based geogrids, anchored by steel pins approximately 6 meters long. The total estimated cost for this project is around 15.64 billion VND (approximately $640,000 USD). Prenn Pass, stretching 7.27 kilometers, is one of the main routes connecting National Highway 20 to the center of Da Lat. The road underwent an expansion project to become a four-lane highway, with construction starting in 2023 and an expected completion in early 2024. The total investment for this expansion was 552 billion VND (approximately $2.25 million USD). Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue in Lam Dong and many southern provinces in the coming days, with precipitation ranging from 150-250 mm, and over 400 mm in some areas. Concentrated rainfall over short periods could further increase the risk of flash floods, inundation, and landslides. Two days prior, Lam Dong also declared an emergency situation in Dak Snao hamlet, Quang Son commune, where a hillside developed several cracks approximately 300 meters long, causing subsidence and a potential landslide over an area exceeding 4 hectares, affecting 79 households with 454 people. Source: VnExpress