DAK LAK, VIETNAM – A terrifying geological phenomenon triggered by days of relentless downpours has forced authorities in Dak Lak province to launch an urgent evacuation, relocating 119 residents to safety as the ground beneath their homes began to crack and slide.
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| Kiem Mien Bridge, My Loc village, Thanh Lien gas station section, Xuan Loc commune, National Highway 1A collapsed about 5m. Currently, the commune People's Committee leaders have directed the prohibition sign |
The Earth "Groans" in Vĩnh Xuân Village
The crisis centers on Vĩnh Xuân village in Tuy An Tây commune, where the quiet of the countryside was shattered by the ominous sound of shifting earth.
According to local reports, the situation escalated rapidly around 1:00 PM on November 20, when residents first heard loud, grinding noises coming from the ground. Shortly after, large fissures began to appear, tearing through gardens, splitting concrete courtyards, and running up the walls of family homes.
"The cracks didn't stop at the doorstep; they tore right through living rooms," one local official described. In total, approximately 35 households found their properties under immediate threat, with some houses suffering severe structural damage, forcing families to flee with only their most essential belongings.
A Race Against Time
Recognizing the imminent danger of a massive landslide, local authorities mobilized military and police forces to conduct an emergency evacuation.
Evacuation Status: As of the afternoon of November 25, the evacuation of all 119 at-risk individuals was completed.
Shelter: Displaced residents are currently being housed in the Vĩnh Xuân village cultural hall or staying with relatives in safer zones.
Support: Essential supplies, including food and clean water, are being provided by the local government to ensure no one goes hungry during this displacement.
Infrastructure Buckling Under Pressure
The damage extends beyond private property. The geological instability has caused sections of rural concrete roads to buckle and snap, severing transport links within the village. The prolonged heavy rains, remnants of recent storms, have saturated the soil to a breaking point, creating "underground water pockets" that are hollowing out the foundation of the area.
Residents remain in a state of high anxiety, unable to return to their homes as the cracks continue to widen. Geological experts are expected to survey the area to determine if the land can ever be inhabited again or if a permanent relocation plan is necessary.
Weather Outlook
The situation remains critical as Storm No. 15 (Koto) looms in the East Sea, threatening to dump more rain on the already waterlogged Central Highlands. Authorities remain on high alert, ready to expand evacuation zones if the fissures spread further.