Road closure due to dike crack
Ms. Nguyen Huong reported that she was riding her motorbike from the inner city to Long Xuyen commune, Phuc Tho district, on the Ngoc Tao dike (Tam Hiep commune) when she encountered a concrete block across the road, however, at this section, her vehicle was still able to pass.
When they reached Ngoc Tao commune, they could not go any further. Here, the authorities erected concrete pillars to block the entire road, putting Ms. Huong in a "dilemma". Because if she turned back, she would have to go around for nearly 10 kilometers, and if she continued, she would have to go down a steep dike, the dirt road was extremely dangerous.
"I hope that if the government closes the road, there will be early warning signs so that people do not have to face the same situation as me," said Ms. Huong.
Present at Ngoc Tao dike, Ngoc Tao commune on October 17, the reporter also encountered a similar situation.
Local residents said the concrete pillars have been placed by authorities for several days to prohibit vehicles from passing through. The reason is that there are very deep cracks on the dike surface.
Following the locals’ instructions, the reporter recorded a cracked dike section heading towards Phu My (Ngoc Tao commune, Phuc Tho district). Here, the authorities have put up ropes, fences and posted “incident warning” signs. The cracked part has been covered with tarpaulin.
Continuing to move on Ngoc Tao dike (km 10+600) in Tam Hiep commune (Phuc Tho district, Hanoi), the reporter recorded another large crack on the dike surface. In this area, the tarpaulin cover was almost twice as large as the crack in Ngoc Tao commune.
Outside the tarpaulin cover, at both ends, cracks continued to appear running along the dike surface, some cracks were deeper than 2 hand spans. Looking inside, the deep, uneven dike surface was concave and convex.
Meanwhile, according to the reporter's observation, right next to the subsidence and cracking section, there is a concrete mixing station with a large amount of soil and rock lying around in operation. At the concrete mixing station, many trucks go in and out regularly. Every time a truck goes in and out, standing on the dike surface, the reporter feels the vibration.
At the foot of the dike, a factory (named Gia Khanh foundation) is also operating busily, with vehicles coming and going busily.
The government is silent.
To find out the cause and solution, Lao Dong Newspaper reporters contacted the authorities of Phuc Tho district, Hanoi many times but have not received any response.
On October 17, the reporter contacted Mr. Vu Duc Tuan, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ngoc Tao Commune. Over the phone, Mr. Tuan said: The name is Ngoc Tao dike, but this subsidence and cracking section must be contacted with the Tam Hiep commune government and the dike management department.
The reporter contacted Mr. Hoang Quang Giap - Chairman of Tam Hiep Commune People's Committee on October 18. Then, on October 21, the reporter continued to contact the headquarters of Tam Hiep Commune People's Committee. Mr. Giap said he was in a meeting and handed over to Mr. Dai (Vice Chairman of Tam Hiep Commune People's Committee - PV) to answer. However, when the reporter went down to contact him, he was told that Mr. Dai was going to inspect the facility.
The reporter has also contacted the People's Committee of Phuc Tho district, the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Hanoi Disaster Prevention Branch many times about the issue of dike subsidence and cracking, but has not yet received a response.
