Border patrol route severely damaged after floods

The border patrol route passing through Muong Tip and Muong Ai communes of Ky Son district is more than 20 km long and has been concreted quite solidly since 2018. However, the flood that occurred in August caused serious landslides, leading to many sections of this route being damaged and buried.

Rocks and soil from the mountain collapsed and covered the road, making travel extremely difficult. Photo: Khanh Ly

Previously, it only took about 1 hour to complete this patrol route by motorbike, but since the landslides occurred, it has taken more than 2 hours. Not to mention, many sections required getting off the motorbike and walking or with the support of the person sitting behind.

The road was most severely damaged and eroded at 4 points at km 25, 27, 30, 34. The length of the landslides was usually about 10 - 15m, in which many sections of the road were broken or completely buried by rocks and soil, making traffic extremely difficult.

The concrete road surface was deformed due to the destruction caused by floods. Photo: Hoai Thu

In particular, due to severe road damage, people from Vang Pao village to the clusters of Tham Khop, Xop Phong, Huoi Phong, and Ai Khe villages had difficulty traveling, agricultural products could not be sold, and teachers and students had to take many days off from teaching and school.

After the flood, residents along the border patrol route are often isolated. The route was only cleared two weeks ago after efforts by authorities to clear landslides.