On October 6, a truck carrying three people was swept away by floodwaters in Da Lat, Lam Dong province. The incident occurred around 1 PM when the driver, 26-year-old Le Thanh Chau, was transporting two men after picking up flowers in Xuan Truong ward. As the truck approached a 4-meter-wide stream, heavy rainfall caused the water level to rise rapidly, resulting in the vehicle being swept away.

As the truck was carried downstream, the front of the vehicle submerged in the water. The three occupants quickly managed to open the doors, escape to the top of the truck, and then climbed onto the cargo area. The truck drifted approximately 15 meters before getting stuck sideways near the bank. The three men jumped into the water and clung to trees along the stream to reach safety.

Witness Anh Thinh, a local resident, reported that the heavy rain had caused the water level to rise significantly. He mentioned that normally, local drivers would not attempt to cross during such conditions. However, it appeared that the truck driver was unfamiliar with the terrain and tried to cross the flooded area. Upon seeing the truck being swept away, nearby residents quickly alerted others and brought flotation devices and sticks to assist. Fortunately, the men managed to swim to shore before the water became too deep.

By early afternoon, the water level in the stream began to recede. The truck owner was in contact with specialized vehicles for recovery. The local government of Xuan Truong ward announced plans to enhance warning signs at the crossing area. The stream where the incident occurred originates from Lac Duong district and flows through several agricultural areas. The crossing is approximately 10 meters long and 4 meters wide.

This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by flooding, especially in light of recent heavy rains in Lam Dong province, which have caused localized flooding and rapid water rises in various areas. On October 4, many roads in Da Lat were submerged by over a meter of water, affecting homes and vehicles. In Bao Lam 2 and B’Lao ward, more than 40 households and 30 tourists were evacuated due to water levels rising between 0.8 to 1.2 meters. Furthermore, hail was reported in Don Duong, followed by heavy rains that flooded National Route 27 by 30-50 cm. The rainfall has also increased the risk of landslides in Prenn Pass, D’ran, and other mountainous regions.