Brian Jeffrey
Explosive Removal of Boulder on Khanh Le Pass
Authorities are set to use explosives to clear a massive 100-ton boulder that’s obstructing Khanh Le Pass on National Highway 27C. This situation arose due to landslides following extended heavy rains, which have severely impacted travel between Nha Trang and Da Lat.
This morning, Chu Van An, the Acting Deputy Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Transport, shared details about the ongoing efforts to tackle the landslide issues on Khanh Le Pass located in Khanh Vinh District.
Mr. An reported that since yesterday, significant landslides have caused large amounts of soil and rock to fall onto National Highway 27C. A sizable boulder fell onto the road at Kilometer 43+400 in Son Thai Commune early this morning, completely halting all traffic.
“We deployed specialized teams to manage the situation, but the enormous size of the boulder means it cannot be removed using standard methods. Therefore, explosives have become our only viable option,” stated Mr. An. He indicated that they plan to detonate today, with expectations of resuming traffic by midday tomorrow.
Concerns Over Road Safety
Along with the boulder, a significant crack measuring up to 20 centimeters has formed on the road at Kilometer 61+750, which has raised alarms about potential subsidence. To address this issue, Khanh Hoa Road Management and Construction JSC will fill the crack with concrete to enhance safety while more permanent solutions are considered.
Following the heavy rains, several areas of National Highway 27C on Khanh Le Pass faced serious landslides on December 15, resulting in considerable debris accumulation that left approximately 350 travelers stranded across various locations.
Emergency teams from Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong provinces worked meticulously to reach these travelers, traversing challenging terrains to provide them with food and water.
By late evening, over 350 individuals were successfully evacuated from the dangerous zone to safety.
A large workforce, aided by various vehicles, has been organized to clear the debris and expedite the reopening of National Highway 27C as swiftly as possible.
