Floods washed away Phu Loc pontoon bridge through Dai An commune

(QNO) - Due to the impact of heavy rain combined with the hydroelectric dam releasing floodwaters from upstream, Phu Loc pontoon bridge (Dai An commune) - a people's bridge spanning the two banks of the Vu Gia river branch, connecting Dai An commune with villages 9 and 10 (old) of Dai Cuong commune, Dai Loc district was washed away, causing severe damage to the lives, production, and travel of people in the area.

The Phu Loc pontoon bridge (Dai An commune) was built from socialized resources, from support from benefactors and from the hard work and sweat of local people. Up to now, local people have spent a lot of effort to build a bridge across the Vu Gia river to serve travel and production. However, every time a bridge is completed, during the flood season, large waves of water and torrential discharges from hydroelectric plants from upstream wash it away. On this river section, a charity organization once stood up to mobilize support to build a reinforced concrete bridge across the river with socialized resources of billions of dong. However, even a sturdy reinforced concrete bridge could not withstand the torrential floods on this river section.

A few years ago, when the concrete bridge supported by the "Vietnam Arms" organization collapsed into the river, people had to join hands and contribute to build a bamboo bridge for travel and production. Photo: HOANG LIEN

Three years ago, the Phu Loc pontoon bridge was built at a cost of 400 million VND, from support from upstream hydropower plants and from local people. In February 2025, local people also joined hands to build a road leading to the pontoon bridge for easy travel and transportation of agricultural products home. Dozens of people joined hands and hearts to transport soil, sand, and bricks day and night to reinforce the road. However, that achievement and joy quickly ended when the flood from June 11 to June 12 washed away the entire bridge.

Photo of Phu Loc pontoon bridge in early 2025, before it was washed away. Photo: HOANG LIEN

Sharing with reporters, Mr. Phan Bay, a resident of Dai An commune, said that with the Phu Loc pontoon bridge, the travel and production of people in some villages of Dai Cuong and Dai An commune is more convenient and safer than the unstable ferry trips. However, the flood discharges caused the water to rush in, the water rose too fast and flowed so fast that no one dared to go to the river to dismantle and anchor the bridge. "During heavy rain, the water flowed so fast that the pontoon bridge broke and drifted down to the foot of Quang Hue bridge. I saw 6 pontoons floating in the middle of the river, but at that time the rain was so heavy, the water flowed so fast, no one dared to take a canoe out to retrieve them" - Mr. Bay said.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long - Vice Chairman of Dai An Commune People's Committee confirmed that Phu Loc pontoon bridge was built 3 years ago with a total cost of 400 million VND, from the support of hydroelectric plants. Regarding the situation of the pontoon bridge being swept away by flood, Mr. Long said that this was beyond the imagination of the neighboring people because there has never been a big flood in the middle of summer. Normally, during the rainy season, to protect the bridge, people will automatically dismantle the pontoon bridge and anchor it carefully.

"The locality hopes that the authorities will soon pay attention and provide financial support to temporarily repair the bridge, serving the travel and production of the people in the area. Because without the bridge, people will not be able to cross the river to harvest agricultural products" - Mr. Long said. According to Mr. Long, the construction of a pontoon bridge is only a temporary solution, but in the future, there needs to be attention from superiors and philanthropists in supporting investment in building a solid concrete bridge, creating favorable conditions for people to travel and produce. Because the Quang Hue River area has very strong water flows during the rainy season. The discharge of water from upstream hydropower plants also greatly affects the flow.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/mua-lu-cuon-troi-cau-phao-phu-loc-qua-xa-dai-an-3156779.html