A landslide occurred on Monday morning near the Datanla Waterfall in Xuan Huong Ward, Lam Dong Province after several days of heavy rain, sending soil and rocks down into the pine forest on the lower talus slope.
The pass is 7.27 km long and a vital route connecting National Highway 20 from the southeastern region, including Ho Chi Minh City.
It underwent a VND552 billion (US$21 million) upgrade, with its width doubled to four lanes and allowing speeds of 60 kph, and reopened for use in July 2024.
Retaining walls and guardrails broke apart and were swept into the ravine.
Truong Trung Thang, deputy director of the Lam Dong Province Department of Construction, said the landslide occurred when the lower talus retaining structure broke, affecting around 50 m of the roadbed.
Authorities have cordoned off the area to ensure the safety of vehicles.
The Department of Construction said the pass has been closed since noon Monday and vehicles are being diverted through Mimosa Pass. Officials are surveying the site for repairs.
Excavators and trucks are clearing soil and rocks from the road near the landslide-affected area.
Since late October heavy rains have caused landslides at several places in Lam Dong, including D’ran, Gia Bac and Dai Ninh.
A deadly one occurred late Sunday on Khanh Le Pass between Da Lat and Nha Trang, 70 km from Prenn Pass, burying a passenger bus and killing six people.
