A decades-old suspension bridge over the Da Nhim River in Lam Dong Province was torn away by floodwaters within seconds, severing vital traffic routes and isolating communities.

Around noon on November 20, local authorities in Ninh Gia Commune, Lam Dong, confirmed that the Phu Thien suspension bridge had been swept away by a surge of floodwater from upstream.

The incident occurred earlier the same morning. Fortunately, there were no people on the bridge at the time, so no injuries or casualties were reported.

The Phu Thien bridge spanned several dozen meters over the Da Nhim River and served as a critical lifeline for nearby residents. The site has since been sealed off by local agencies for safety and damage assessment.

Flood emergency worsens across Lam Dong

Lam Dong is now in a state of heightened alert as flooding continues to intensify across the province. Multiple hydropower dams have increased water discharge, sending torrents downstream through the Da Nhim River system.

The combined force of upstream floodwaters and controlled dam discharge has put immense pressure on downstream areas, including the communes of Duc Trong, D’Ran, Ka Do, Quang Lap, Hiep Thanh, Don Duong, Nam Nung, Quang Phu, and Nam Da.

Alongside flooding, serious landslides have been reported, damaging infrastructure and halting transportation on major roads.

The Mimosa Pass along National Highway 20 has suffered a complete collapse, with the road surface sinking dozens of meters. In response, Lam Dong has officially declared an emergency.

Prenn Pass is showing signs of dangerous structural weakness with deep talus slips, while the Khanh Le Pass (National Route 27C) and Ngoan Muc Pass (also known as Song Pha Pass) have been closed due to ongoing landslides and high risk of collapse.

These incidents have brought traffic and cargo movement between Da Lat and neighboring provinces to a near-total standstill.

In response, local authorities have begun rerouting traffic to alternative routes and evacuating residents from high-risk landslide zones.

Xuan Ngoc - Tuan Kiet