People in Western Nghe An are looking forward to new bridges after the flood.

After the historic flood caused by storm No. 3, the communes in Western Nghe An suffered serious damage. Many bridges were swept away by floodwaters, leaving thousands of people isolated. People hope that new bridges will be built soon, helping people travel conveniently and stabilize their lives.

Clip: Van Truong

People have to take boats across the river every day.

On the morning of October 20, at the Ban Chan bridge area (Tuong Duong commune), traces of the historic flood were still there. The solid concrete bridge across the Lam River - once a vital traffic route for the people - was now just bare piers after being completely washed away by the flood. Now, small boats have become the only means of transport to take students to class and people to go back and forth to live and do business.

The concrete suspension bridge in Ban Chan over Lam River, Tuong Duong Commune, was swept away by flood. Photo: Van Truong

Le Hoai Thuong, a 7th grade student at Thach Giam Secondary School, shared: “When there was still a bridge, it was very convenient for me to go to school. I would go in the morning and come back at noon to have lunch with my parents. Now, I have to go by boat, so I have to stay at school all day and only get home in the evening.”

Ms. Vi Thi Tinh - a resident of Chan village - confided: "Before, there was a bridge, people could travel conveniently, whatever they grew could be transported and sold immediately. Now they have to take a boat, transporting goods is very difficult. People hope the government will soon rebuild the bridge so that people can live and do business in peace."

People in Chan village, Tuong Duong commune have to travel by boat to cross the river. Photo taken on October 20: Photo: Van Truong

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tai - Chairman of the People's Committee of Tuong Duong commune said that the recent flood caused unprecedented damage to the locality. Of which, 3 important bridges, namely Ban Chan bridge, Ban Lau bridge, and Cua Rao bridge, were completely washed away, directly affecting 4 villages (Ban Chan, Ban Lau, Ban Mac, Ban Nhan) including 394 households with more than 1,600 people.

Faced with this urgent situation, the commune government promptly submitted a request to the province for support. At the same time, the commune organized the establishment of temporary ferry terminals on both sides of the river with an iron boat, a waiting room and free transportation for the people. In addition, the people also contributed money to buy 8 more small boats to transport goods and agricultural products. During the process of people traveling by boat, the commune regularly sent forces to monitor and remind people to wear life jackets to ensure safety.

Temporary waiting room at Ban Chan ferry terminal, Tuong Duong commune, equipped with life jackets for people. Photo: Van Truong

The best news is that on September 22, the People's Committee of Nghe An province decided to supplement the budget estimate and allocate support funds from the Central Government to overcome the consequences of storms and floods. Of which, 15 billion VND was approved to build a new suspension bridge in Lau village, expected to start in early November 2025 and be completed before Tet.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tai added: "In the long term, the commune hopes to continue investing in building a rigid bridge in Chan village with a large capacity, in order to exploit the development potential on the left bank of Lam River."

Cua Rao Bridge in Tuong Duong Commune was broken. Photo: Van Truong

A similar situation occurred in Luong Minh commune when the suspension bridge at Xop Mat village collapsed completely in the flood. More than 490 households in Dua, Minh Tien, Minh Thanh and Cham Puong villages were severely isolated. Since September 1, Luong Minh commune has requested to open a temporary ferry terminal right at Xop Mat village with 2 boats operating in rotation, carrying 40-50 people back and forth each day.

Forces supporting people of Luong Minh commune to move by boat across the river. Photo: Van Truong

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa - Chairman of the People's Committee of Luong Minh Commune said: The ferry solution is only temporary, in emergency conditions. We have coordinated with the functional forces to fully equip life jackets and assign people to monitor safety. According to the plan, with the central funding support, the new suspension bridge in Xop Mat village will be started in November, bringing great joy to the local people.

Wishing for new bridges

In Muong Quang commune, Muong Quang suspension bridge connecting Quanh village with National Highway 16 - the only route to the center, was also completely washed away by floodwaters. This is a 56 meter long, 2.2 meter wide bridge, built in 2006, serving motorbikes and vehicles under 1 ton. People in Quanh village now have to take a detour through Chau Thon commune (old), nearly 4 km away, very difficult and time-consuming.

Muong Quang suspension bridge in Muong Quang commune was swept away by flood on July 22. Photo: Van Truong

Records at the scene showed that the entire bridge structure was swept away, leaving only two bridge abutments and a few loose iron cables.

Mr. Vi Van Thi - a resident of Quanh village said: "The bridge was washed away. Since then, we have had to take a detour, which takes an hour."

According to Mr. Sam Ba Tuan - Chairman of Muong Quang Commune People's Committee, this suspension bridge serves 105 households, 500 people. Now the bridge has been washed away by flood, people's lives are facing many difficulties. With the current resources of the commune, restoring the bridge is beyond the ability. The government and people of Muong Quang commune hope that all levels will soon pay attention and support to rebuild the bridge so that people can stabilize their lives.

The bridge deck and railing of Muong Quang suspension bridge were broken in half, part of it fell into the middle of the river. Photo: Van Truong

According to statistics, after storm No. 3, Nghe An province had 7 bridges collapsed, including: Muong Quang suspension bridge (Muong Quang commune); Xop Mat suspension bridge (Luong Minh commune); 3 bridges in Tuong Duong commune including Chan bridge, Lau bridge, Cua Rao bridge; Khe Hi iron bridge (Nhon Mai commune) and Yen Hoa suspension bridge (My Ly commune).

In the immediate future, the province will prioritize using central funding to rebuild two bridges in Lau village (Tuong Duong commune) and Xop Mat bridge (Luong Minh commune). However, there are still five other bridges that need to be restored and rebuilt in the coming time to ensure travel safety and long-term livelihood stability for thousands of people in the highlands.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/nguoi-dan-mien-tay-nghe-an-mong-moi-nhung-cay-cau-moi-sau-lu-10308680.html