According to the announcement from Phu Tho Provincial Police on the morning of October 16, due to high water levels at Phong Chau Bridge and high water flow, to ensure the safety of people and vehicles, the 249th Engineering Brigade (Engineering Corps) cut off the bridge urgently from 8:30 a.m. the same day.
When safety conditions are met, the 249th Engineer Brigade will continue to reconnect the pontoon bridge. The location is still at the river wharf in Phung Nguyen commune, Lam Thao district (the opposite wharf is in Huong Non commune, Tam Nong district), about 400m downstream of the Red River from the location of the Phong Chau bridge collapse on September 9.
With the cutting of Phong Chau pontoon bridge, it is highly likely that military ferries will be requisitioned to temporarily serve the travel needs of the people.
Previously on October 1, also due to the rising water level of the Red River, the army cut the pontoon bridge. By the afternoon of October 6, when the water level of the Red River had receded, the Phong Chau pontoon bridge was re-installed.
