CaliToday (04/11/2025): Vietnam's Central and Central Highlands regions are battling a catastrophic weather crisis following days of torrential rain. The situation escalated dramatically with a deadly flash flood in Lam Dong province and the emergence of two new, perilous threats in the coastal city of Da Nang: an alarming sinkhole and a massive mountain fissure.
Tragedy in Lam Dong
In the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, disaster struck in Tuy Phong commune when a reservoir embankment suffered a catastrophic failure.
A significant 85-meter (279-foot) section of the embankment breached, unleashing a sudden, violent flash flood. The wall of water and mud tore through the downstream community, catching residents off guard. Authorities have confirmed at least one fatality in the immediate aftermath.
The flood has caused devastating damage, with initial reports stating that 109 households are "heavily affected," implying widespread destruction of homes, property, and livelihoods. Emergency rescue teams are on-site, but the terrain and ongoing rain are hampering relief efforts.
Double Threat in Da Nang
Further north, the major coastal city of Da Nang is facing a perilous "disaster-on-two-fronts."
1. Urban Inundation and a "Death Pit": Relentless heavy rain has inundated large parts of the city, turning streets into rivers and paralyzing transportation. In a shocking development, the saturated ground gave way, opening up an alarming sinkhole (known locally as a "hố tử thần" or "death pit").
The chasm reportedly appeared directly adjacent to an apartment complex, sparking panic among residents. The area has been urgently cordoned off as engineers assess the stability of the ground and the building itself.
2. Imminent Landslide Risk: Compounding the city's woes, authorities conducting aerial surveys have discovered a massive, fresh crack on a nearby mountain overlooking residential areas. This discovery signals an imminent and potentially catastrophic landslide risk.
In response, the Da Nang city government has issued an emergency alert. Evacuation plans are being activated, and officials are ready to forcibly move thousands of people out of the danger zone at a moment's notice.
"The situation is extremely volatile," a local official stated. "We are dealing with the immediate floodwater, the new sinkhole, and now the terrifying prospect of a mountain collapsing. Our priority is to protect lives."
This dual disaster in Da Nang, combined with the fatal flood in Lam Dong, paints a grim picture of a region under siege from extreme weather.