Ky Son district is making efforts to reopen roads to communes after floods.

In early September 2022,Ky Son districtThe district suffered two consecutive major floods causing serious damage (from September 4-5 and September 7-11). After many efforts by the local government and people, by the morning of September 22, many roads in Ky Son district were basically reopened, helping people to travel conveniently and stabilize their lives.

Ky Son district mobilizes machinery to repair the overflow culvert in Xieng Thu village, Chieu Luu commune. Photo: Quang An.

Nevertheless, Ky Son district still faces two of the most challenging transportation challenges: the culverts in Xieng Thu village, Chieu Luu commune, and Xop Thap village, Huu Lap commune. At these locations, the water flow remains strong, preventing residents from crossing and isolating hundreds of households in the villages.

Present at the Xiêng Thù village spillway in Chiêu Lưu commune on the morning of September 22nd, our reporter observed that local authorities' machinery was still working diligently to clear the waterway and ensure safe traffic for the people.

The excavated soil and rocks will be transported away promptly, ensuring the smooth flow of water through the spillways. Photo: Quang An

Mr. La Thanh Hue, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Chieu Luu commune, said: "After the recent floods, the road from Xieng Thu village to Luu Hoa, La Ngan, Tat Thoong, and Luu Thang villages is still not fully open due to overflowing culverts with strong currents. Although Ky Son district has mobilized additional machinery to work for the past week, traffic and transportation for people have not yet returned to normal due to repeated rains, and rocks and soil from upstream continue to clog drainage culverts."

Reportedly, four villages are isolated in the area.Chieu Luu communeThere are 700 households, with approximately 3,000 people. All aid depends on large trucks that can cross the flooded culvert; if motorbikes are used, residents have to help carry them across this dangerous section of road.

The spillway from Huu Lap commune to Bao Nam is still flowing rapidly. Photo: Quang An

The road from Huu Lap commune to Bao Nam commune is in a similar condition. On this route, the Xop Thap bridge is flooded with high, fast-flowing water, making travel to the center of Bao Nam commune very difficult.

According to the Bao Nam commune authorities, three villages remain isolated due to landslides: Huoi Hoc, Luu Tan, and Thao Di. Although the commune has deployed one or two excavators to clear the landslides, the large volume of soil and rocks has prevented the roads from being reopened. The biggest concern is the possibility of further landslides, which would make remediation efforts more difficult and prolonged.

Regarding this issue, Mr. Tho Ba Re, Vice Chairman of the Ky Son District People's Committee, said: With the efforts of the local authorities of the communes and the participation of the people over the past half month, by September 22nd, the roads leading to the commune centers in the district have been basically cleared. However, there are still two most difficult points, including the Xieng Thu spillway in Chieu Luu commune and the Xop Thap village spillway in Huu Lap commune.

"Therefore, the district will mobilize all available machinery and equipment to address these traffic points. The plan is to mobilize excavators to dredge the culvert openings under the spillway, as there is currently a large amount of soil, rocks, and tree trunks blocking them. Once the dredging is successful, floodwater will flow under the spillway, and people can travel normally. If the weather is dry, the district aims to reopen the entire route to the centers of the communes by September 23rd," Mr. Tho Ba Re emphasized.

Landslides on National Highway 7A were promptly addressed. Photo: Quang An

Regarding road repairs on provincial and district routes, the district mobilized two excavators and a loader, along with additional excavators from businesses, to carry out repairs over several consecutive days. Currently, National Highway 7A is open to traffic. The Ky Son Road Management Unit is requested to install warning signs and resurface the road to prevent leakage and ensure safe traffic flow in the area.