People in Nghe An border area worry about being isolated during flood season

Na Nhu is the farthest village of Ta Ca commune.Ky Son district; there are 73 Khmu ethnic households living here. The people's lives are still difficult and arduous because they live far from the commune center and have rugged terrain. In particular, there is Nhu stream that flows rapidly all year round. Every rainy season, 3 clusters of villages in Na Nhu village are completely isolated. People always live in fear because they can be swept away by sudden floods.

Khe Nhu flows through Na Nhu village, Ta Ca commune. Every time the rainy season comes, the water rises and separates all households. Photo: Quang An

Mr. Cut Van Ky, Na Nhu village, Ta Ca commune said: "People here suffer a lot. Every rainy season, households are isolated, many belongings, crops, and livestock are swept away by the flood. Previously, we made temporary bridges out of wood and bamboo to cross Nhu stream, however, every year the bridges are washed away...".

Mr. La Pa Vin - Vice Chairman of Ta Ca Commune People's Committee said: "Na Nhu village has a total of 73 households, including 3 clusters of villages with 25 households that are often isolated every time there is a flood because Nhu stream is high and flows rapidly. When the flood water rises, people's lives are completely isolated, and annual relief work also faces many difficulties. Meanwhile, the cost of building the bridge is too large, the commune does not have enough capacity, so it has repeatedly petitioned higher authorities for support, but until now there is still no bridge for people to travel safely...".

People in Na Nhu village, Ta Ca commune wade through streams and creeks every day because there is no bridge for people. Photo: Quang An

My Ly commune is one of the farthest localities in Ky Son district, bordering Laos. This place has rugged terrain, steep slopes and crisscrossing streams. According to the survey, My Ly commune still has 3 weak points in 3 villages, all of which are places that are often isolated during the rainy season but do not have bridges for people.

Mr. Luong Van Bay - Chairman of My Ly Commune People's Committee said: In the commune, there is Cha Nga stream flowing through Cha Nga village, Nhot Lot stream flowing through Nhot Lot village and Tuoc stream flowing through Hoa Ly village with a total of over 300 Thai and Mong households living. These are villages adjacent to Laos, life is inherently difficult, and in the rainy season it is even more difficult. In Cha Nga and Nhot Lot villages, people are forced to build temporary wooden bridges, but this is only a temporary solution because the bridge can be swept away at any time. In Hoa Ly village, people still have to wade across the stream every day because there is no bridge.

In fact, not only Ta Ca and My Ly communes but also Ky Son district have many weak points before the flood season. The whole Ky Son district has only 1% flat land in the total natural area, the rest is mountainous land with a slope of over 30°. In particular, there are 11 border communes and 172 villages in the particularly difficult area. These are widely distributed areas, with dense, steep streams and creeks, rudimentary traffic infrastructure, and landslides often occur during the flood season, sweeping away people, crops, livestock, and goods...

Mr. Nguyen Van Long, Deputy Head of the Economic - Infrastructure Department of Ky Son district, said: In the district, there are still many highland people who often have to climb mountains and wade through streams to produce, and students cross streams to go to school. Especially, during the rainy season, the water from streams rises high and flows rapidly, causing tragic drowning accidents. In recent years, Ky Son district has strengthened the connection between units and has invested in and supported 11 bridges for people in remote and isolated villages that are often flooded with a total capital of over 4.5 billion VND.

Khe Nam Xoc, Huoi Xui village, Keng Du commune. Photo: PV

However, according to the survey, there are still many urgent points in the district that need attention, support, and construction of bridges to help people in the highlands feel secure in their lives and stabilize production; and students can go to school safely during the upcoming flood season.