Nghe An: Saline intrusion prevention bridge collapsed, dozens of hectares of production land affected by salinity

Khe Dam Bridge in Khanh Hop Commune has the function of regulating water and preventing floods for Nghi Phong, Nghi Thach, Khanh Hop communes in Nghi Loc district and Nghi Thu, Nghi Huong wards in Cua Lo town. At the same time, this is also a project to prevent salinity for dozens of hectares of productive land in the two localities. However, after recent natural disasters, part of the bridge collapsed, sweeping away many parts. Photo: Quang An

According to observations, the bridge has 2 damaged water barriers; the remaining 7 water barriers are also affected in structure, the bridge pillars are also broken and dangling. Photo: Quang An

The water also eroded nearly 20m of the eastern embankment (previously reinforced with concrete), and the risk of further erosion into the mainland continues, especially during high tides. Photo: Quang An

Because Khe Dam Bridge was damaged and could no longer regulate water, the water poured heavily onto Giằng Bridge (about 500m south of Khe Dam Bridge), causing Giằng Bridge to collapse as well. The subsidence can be clearly seen from afar. Photo: Quang An

It is known that the Giằng bridge is 31m long and 6m wide. Currently, 5 pillars have collapsed, 2/3 of the bridge body is broken, leading to serious damage to the entire bridge structure and the remaining water barriers. Photo: Quang An

Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung - Vice Chairman of Khanh Hop Commune People's Committee said: Since the time Khe Dam bridge and Giang bridge were damaged, salt water from Nghi Tan bara (Cua Lo town) has continuously flooded into the local production land area, there is no way to prevent it. Currently, the commune has sent a report to the relevant authorities and sectors but so far it has not been able to be resolved. Photo: Quang An

The bridge body was completely broken and no longer able to regulate water. Photo: Quang An

According to statistics, due to the damage of the two bridges, salt water has intruded into about 60 hectares of production land in the two localities of Khanh Hop (Nghi Loc) and Nghi Thu (Cua Lo). The authorities and people are very worried because if there is no early solution, these areas of land will be forced to fallow the next crop because they cannot be planted. Photo: Quang An