Mimosa Pass, Gateway to Dalat, Suffers Major Road Crack

A significant road crack, approximately 40 meters long, has been confirmed on Mimosa Pass (National Highway 20), a key gateway to the highland city of Dalat in Vietnam's central region. The crack extends across nearly one lane of the road, raising concerns about further expansion, road breakage, and potential landslides. On the afternoon of September 25, the People's Committee of Xuan Huong Ward in Da Lat, along with relevant departments, inspected the site and confirmed the approximately 40-meter crack running along the roadside, covering a substantial portion of one lane. To ensure safety, authorities have erected barriers and warning signs, directing traffic entering and exiting Dalat towards the upper slope (taluy dương). Tarpaulins have been placed over the cracked area to prevent rainwater infiltration amidst ongoing rain. This location is about 200 meters from a section of Mimosa Pass that experienced a landslide and collapsed onto the lower slope (taluy âm) late last year. That area was subsequently repaired with the construction of the Xuan Huong bridge. According to Project Management Unit 85 under the Ministry of Construction, the current crack is believed to have been caused by the impact of typhoons and heavy rains late last year. Prolonged recent rainfall has led to the crack's expansion, increasing the risk of sudden landslides and road breakage towards the lower slope, threatening the safety of people and vehicles. The unit is currently constructing a 140-meter-long, 9-meter-wide bridge on the upper slope at this location, with a total investment of 37 billion VND (approximately $1.5 million USD). This bridge construction aims to permanently resolve the risks of landslides and road breakage on Mimosa Pass. Mimosa Pass, stretching 11 kilometers, is one of the main southern gateways to Dalat, alongside Prenn Pass and Sacom Pass (where heavy trucks are prohibited). In recent days, prolonged heavy rainfall has caused landslides on numerous roads across Lam Dong province. Prenn Pass, Dai Ninh Pass, and Gia Bac Pass have seen several points requiring closure and traffic redirection. Additionally, cracks, subsidence, and flooding have been reported in many areas. Source: VnExpress