Repairs accelerate to reopen North-South railway after severe flood damage
VOV.VN - Repairs on the railway section running through the South-central region are expected to be completed by November 26–27, as severe damage caused by recent floods continues to disrupt operations.
According to the Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR), a total of 61 landslide and roadbed washout points have been recorded along the route. Of these, 46 locations have been cleared and temporarily restored for limited operations. The remaining 15 sites, located between Dong Tac – Phu Hiep and Phu Hiep – Hao Son, are still under repair and have been heavily affected by water discharged from the Ba Ha hydropower plant.
Some sections suffered extensive damage, including a two-kilometer stretch from Km1205 to Km1207 where the rail bed was completely washed away, and a four-kilometer section from Km1211 to Km1215 where the alignment shifted by up to four meters.
VNR noted that repair work is challenging as the railway is the only access route for machinery and personnel. As floodwaters recede in certain areas, repair teams are working around the clock to restore traffic. The line is expected to reopen at a restricted speed of 5 km/h by November 26–27.
With the railway still severed, VNR has arranged passenger transfers between Tuy Hoa and Gia stations to maintain service continuity and ensure safety. The corporation has also cancelled or adjusted multiple passenger services. Trains SE5 (Hanoi), SE8 and SNT2 (Ho Chi Minh City), and SE21/SE22 (Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City) scheduled for November 24 have been suspended. Train SE4 departing from Ho Chi Minh City on November 24 has been shortened to operate only up to Da Nang, while SE3 departing Hanoi the same day will terminate in Da Nang instead of continuing to Ho Chi Minh City.
As of 11 a.m. on November 23, prolonged heavy rainfall across Gia Lai, Quang Ngai, Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa has caused serious damage to the railway network, forcing the suspension of dozens of trains. On November 23 alone, nine trains coded SE6/SE5, SE8/SE7, SE22/SE21, SNT2/SNT1 and SE4 were halted due to disrupted rail traffic.
Floods leave 102 dead or missing, causing over VND9 trillion in damage
VOV.VN - As of the morning of November 23, prolonged floods and landslides across Central Vietnam have left 102 people dead or missing, according to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE).
