Bridge collapsed after storm Bualoi, students had to overcome flood to get to school

Storm Bualoi caused flash floods that swept away a bridge in a mountainous commune in western Nghe An province. Local authorities had to use boats to take children across the floodwaters to school.

Trung Thang bridge, Yen Hoa commune, Nghe An was swept away by floodwaters after storm Bualoi - Photo: VI THI XOAN

A week has passed since the storm Bualoi, but the consequences of the storm and subsequent floods are still evident in Yen Hoa commune, Nghe An province. Returning to school after many days off to avoid the storm, students in Yen Hoa commune face numerous difficulties.

Students from Vang Lin, Xop Coc and Tat villages who want to go to the commune’s central school must go over Trung Thang bridge. However, the flood after the storm washed away Trung Thang bridge, leaving only the bridge piers on both sides of the stream.

From early morning on October 6, Mr. Luong Van Tan - resident of Tat village, Yen Hoa commune - took his child to the gathering point by Huoi Nguyen stream to wait for support forces to take him across the stream to school. Mr. Tan's child and other students were divided into groups, wearing full life jackets before boarding a boat to cross the flood to get to class on time.

"Every time the rainy season comes, we are very worried about the way to school for our children. For the past week, my child has stayed home from school to avoid storms and floods. Now the bridge has been washed away, making the way to school even more difficult," said Mr. Tan.

Due to the impact of storm Bualoi, Yen Hoa commune experienced many extreme weather events such as thunderstorms, localized heavy rains causing flash floods, landslides. The natural disasters caused heavy damage, 8 houses completely collapsed, 302 houses were flooded, landslides and 312 households were isolated in the villages.

The natural disasters caused severe damage, with 8 houses completely collapsed, 302 houses flooded and landslides, and 312 households isolated in the villages - Photo: VI THI XOAN

Ms. Vi Thi Xoan - Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Yen Hoa Commune, Secretary of the Youth Union of Yen Hoa Commune - said that in addition to damage to houses and roads, Yen Hoa Secondary School, Yen Thang Kindergarten, and Dinh Yen school of Yen Hoa Kindergarten were flooded, books, toys, pens, paper, blankets, and children's clothes were submerged in mud.

The flood collapsed and washed away the Trung Thang bridge connecting Trung Thang and Ban Tat. The Yen Hoa commune authorities agreed with schools and parents on a plan to take children to school across the stream to ensure safety, with the determination not to interrupt their studies.

"Students who do not enjoy boarding benefits may stay in a local's house near the school," said Ms. Xoan.

Mr. Bui Danh Vinh - Principal of Yen Thang Primary Boarding School - said that the school hopes to receive support in books, blankets, and clothes for primary and secondary school students; funding to support schools in purchasing cooking utensils, repairing facilities, classrooms, desks and chairs, etc.

"In this very difficult time for our commune, especially the education sector of the commune, we hope to receive the attention of groups, individuals, and philanthropists to join hands to support students, teachers, and schools to overcome this difficult period," Mr. Vinh shared.

Floodwaters cut off many roads in Yen Hoa commune, Nghe An - Photo: VI THI XOAN

In addition to damage to houses and roads, many schools in Yen Hoa commune, Nghe An were also damaged, and teaching equipment was submerged in mud - Photo: VI THI XOAN

Students' books soaked in mud - Photo: VI THI XOAN

Students in Yen Hoa commune, Nghe An province search for books in the mud - Photo: VI THI XOAN

Teachers and parents clean up classrooms to welcome students back to school after a week off due to floods - Photo: VI THI XOAN

Boarding rooms of students in Yen Hoa commune, Nghe An were destroyed by floods - Photo: VI THI XOAN

A week has passed since the storm Bualoi, but the consequences of the storm and the subsequent floods are still evident in Yen Hoa commune, Nghe An province. Returning to school after many days off to avoid the storm, students in Yen Hoa commune face numerous difficulties. Students from Vang Lin, Xop Coc and Tat villages must cross Trung Thang bridge to go to the commune's central school. However, the fierce floods after the storm washed away Trung Thang bridge, leaving only the bridge piers on both sides of the stream - Photo: VI THI XOAN

People transport necessities across the stream because floodwaters swept away the bridge - Photo: VI THI XOAN

DOAN HOA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cau-sap-sau-bao-bualoi-vuot-lu-dua-hoc-tro-toi-truong-20251006095217477.htm