(Baonghean.vn) - The people of Canh Toong village have to build a bridge up to 5 times a year, sometimes 10 times, due to heavy rains and floods. The rainy season has arrived, and the villagers are once again facing many lurking risks.
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| Cành Toong village, Yen Tinh commune (Tuong Duong district) has 98 households, of which 68 are on the north bank and 30 are on the south bank of the stream. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| The dream of a sturdy bridge so that crossing the stream would no longer be a source of anxiety and fear for the villagers of Cành Toong. Until the bridge is built, the elderly and children continue to face the lurking dangers and risks. Photo: Đình Tuân |
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| To cross the stream, locals have long used a makeshift monkey bridge. The bridge, over 30 meters long, was built by the villagers themselves. Mr. Lu Kham Khay, a resident of Canh Toong, said: “The bridge has to be rebuilt at least five times a year, and in some years, the locals have had to rebuild it up to ten times. During periods of prolonged heavy rain and flooding, people have to wait until the water recedes before rebuilding the bridge to cross the stream, causing many tasks to be delayed.” (Photo: Dinh Tuan) |
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| The bridge's "railings" are temporarily secured and reinforced with bamboo ropes. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| The bamboo poles are tied together to form the bridge's surface, which is then supported by pillars. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| Ms. Kha Thi Thuong (67 years old) said: “Many people have fallen while crossing the bridge before. During the rainy season, the water rises so high that it's impassable, and students have to miss school for many days.” Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| Having once fallen into the stream while crossing the bridge, Pay Lý Hải (left) is always apprehensive and scared whenever he crosses it. In the photo: Hải is leading his younger sibling across the bridge. Photo: Đình Tuân |
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| Ms. Vi Thi Tham (77 years old - on the left) said: “My daughter lives across a stream from me, but sometimes I want to visit my grandchild and can't because I don't dare cross the bridge. On days when the water recedes, I wade across the stream to visit my grandchild, but with the water level like this, I have no choice.” Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| Because the bridge was weak, this woman chose to wade through the stream to get home to the other side. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
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| Mr. Luong Van Quang, Secretary of the Party Branch of Canh Toong village, said that about a month ago, the commune provided 1.5 tons of cement, and the village mobilized the people to contribute hundreds of man-days to pour three bridge pillars. However, due to the impact of typhoon No. 2 and the recent floods, one pillar has tilted and is threatening to collapse at any moment. The dream of a sturdy bridge remains uncertain. With the new school year approaching, the people and students of Canh Toong village yearn for a solid bridge to ensure safe travel, safe access to school for children, and to alleviate the isolation of the village, creating conditions for them to rise out of poverty. (Photo: Dinh Tuan) |
Dinh Tuan
