Danger lurks for people on temporary bridge

(Baonghean.vn) -For many years, more than 400 people in village 17, Duc Son commune (Anh Son) have been isolated during floods and rains; because the village's communication with the 'outside world' depends on a temporary bridge.

It was a simple wooden bridge about 10m long spanning the Ve De stream. And after a heavy rain, the water rose and 2/3 of the village was isolated again. The long-standing wish of the people was to have a solid bridge to replace that temporary bridge.

For many years, all trade and travel of nearly 100 households, 402 people in village 17, Duc Son commune, has relied on a temporary bridge across Ve De stream. Photo: Thai Hien

The bridge pillars are made of bamboo poles, the bridge deck is made of wooden planks, there are no railings or walls. With its rudimentary structure, people encounter many dangers every time they cross.

On rainy days, the water often rises, the whole village is isolated, and students cannot go to school.

The temporary, dilapidated bridge poses many risks to people. Photo: Thai Hien

Mr. Phan Doan Thanh, a resident of village 17, Duc Son commune, shared: “Although we know it is dangerous, this is the only road to travel, so people still have to risk their lives to go through it. Every year, my house is flooded up to the roof. There are times when people take advantage of the low water to go to the other side to produce, but when they return, the water rises, those who know how to swim will risk their lives to swim back, while those who cannot swim have to pack up and stay behind to wait for the water to recede. The worst thing is for the students when the rainy season comes, they often have to miss school because there is no way to cross.”

Mr. Ha Xuan Hung - Secretary of the Party Cell of Hamlet 17, Duc Son Commune said: "Without roads, the production and transportation of agricultural products of the people also face many difficulties and hardships. During the rice and corn harvest season, people have to divide the agricultural products into small pieces to carry across or gather and transport 3-4 times to get home. Notably, there have been 4 incidents of raft sinking in the village, fortunately no lives were lost."

Every year, at least 3 times, people in village 17, Duc Son commune have to "invest" in building bridges. Photo: Thai Hien

According to Mr. Tran Van Huy - Vice Chairman of Duc Son Commune People's Committee, in 2014, a working group from the transport sector came to survey, and since then, there have been 3 delegations of officials coming to survey, set up markers to build a bridge, and everyone in the village is happy and excited.

But after waiting for several years, the new bridge has not been invested in construction. For many years now, at every voter meeting, the people of village 17 have petitioned for a bridge to ensure safe travel and economic development.

The wish of the people of village 17, Duc Son commune and the local government is that all levels and sectors need to soon build a bridge for people to ensure safety for people every rainy season.

Thai Hien