Central Vietnam Floods: Suspended Railway Lines and Cracked National Highways

According to Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) and Vietnam’s Road Administration, despite round-the-clock restoration efforts, the extensive damage has left many areas still inaccessible.

On the national railway network, severe damage is widespread between Diêu Trì – Quy Nhơn and Khánh Hòa, Phú Yên. Numerous sections have lost their stone foundations, with water erosion carving out deep trenches of 1-2 meters, leaving tracks suspended.

Several stretches are blocked by fallen boulders and debris from the floodwaters, forcing authorities to close them for safety. The Xuân Sơn Nam – Chí Thạnh section has seen multiple landslides, washed-out foundations, and tracks buried under rubble.

The damage has halted 33 passenger trains and dozens of freight trains, stranding them for hours. With roads also cut off, stations have provided over 15,000 meals to stranded passengers while rescue teams work to clear the worst-affected areas.

Some sections, like Lương Sơn – Phong Thạnh and Nha Trang – Cây Cầy, have been temporarily cleared, allowing trains to move at 5 km/h with guidance.

National highways have also suffered, with many routes submerged, eroded, or completely severed.

As of 4 PM on November 22, the Road Administration reported 13 blocked locations. On Quảng Ngãi’s Trường Sơn Đông route, a major landslide is expected to allow single-lane traffic by day’s end.

In Khánh Hòa, the entire 27C highway over Khánh Lê Pass remains closed since November 17 due to ongoing landslides. Vehicles must detour via QL1, QL27, or the Liên Khương – Prenn Expressway.

Today, new damage emerged on Khánh Lê Pass near Bố Lang village (Nam Khánh Vĩnh), including a 40-meter crack half a meter deep.

In Lâm Đồng, Mimosa Pass on QL20 has a 70-meter road rupture, 40 meters deep—one of the worst damages recorded in this flood season. Sections of QL28 and QL4E (Đà Nẵng) have also slid, requiring remote traffic management and 24/7 monitoring at hazardous sites.

Vietnam’s Road Administration and the Ministry of Construction have deployed teams, equipment, and supplies, including 5,000 stone baskets to Lâm Đồng for reinforcement. However, continued heavy rain raises the risk of new landslides, delaying full restoration.