In mid-July, after traveling more than 200km from the center of the new Lao Cai province, Lao Dong Newspaper reporters were present in the mountainous commune of Y Ty (old Bat Xat district).
From the headquarters of Y Ty commune, continuing to go through a winding road of more than a dozen kilometers, the reporter arrived at the area that had been cut off twice due to floods sweeping away the bridge.
In erratic rainy and windy weather conditions, the movement of people in Sim San 1, Sim San 2 and Hong Ngai villages through the only road is even more difficult and dangerous.
Regularly traveling on this road to the commune center, Mr. Phan Dieu Tin (residing in Sim San 1 village, Y Ty commune) shared: "This Sim San bridge is the only road leading to 3 villages in Y Ty commune. On rainy and windy days, people travel very dangerously and have a hard time because of the risk of landslides and flash floods sweeping away the bridge.
According to Mr. Phan Dieu Tin, Sim San bridge was washed away the first time during Typhoon Yagi in 2024, and in May 2025, it will continue to be washed away by floodwaters the second time. In early July, the temporary bridge was completed to give people a way to travel outside, but the risk of landslides and drift still exists.
Mr. Tan Phu Tin - Head of Sim San 1 village said that every time the bridge is washed away, people in 3 villages with more than 300 households are almost isolated from the outside. People who want to move across the stream often have to leave their motorbikes on the bank and wait until the water is low to go to the other side to the center of Y Ty commune.
"Although the temporary bridge has just been completed, people here are still living in anxiety because they could still be swept away a third time. Therefore, people really hope that authorities at all levels will create conditions for more stable and stable investment in the new bridge, ensuring stable traffic during the flood season," said the Head of Sim San 1 Village.
It is known that during these rainy and windy days, in the Sim San bridge area in Y Ty commune, there are always ambulances and transport vehicles of military units on duty to ensure timely rescue when there are accidents.
Speaking with Lao Dong, Mr. Sung A Khu - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Y Ty Commune, Lao Cai Province said: "Every time there is a flood, people in the three villages of Hong Nghe, Sim San 1 and Sim San 2 are worried that the only bridge could be swept away by floodwaters, causing traffic disruption. Most recently, in May, there was heavy rain, floodwater poured into the Sim San bridge for the second time.
To restore traffic, we have mobilized local human resources, contributions from the people and socialized to build this temporary bridge".
According to Mr. Sung A Khu, Y Ty commune is a difficult border locality, the most remote commune in Lao Cai province after the merger.
On rainy days, the authorities of the commune and in the village regularly patrol and monitor to grasp the situation at landslide risk points to give early warnings and ensure the safety of the people.
"To develop the economy and tourism, as well as ensure traffic safety for people when traveling, in the coming time, the locality will propose that authorities at all levels pay attention to investing in sturdy bridges, along with more synchronous rural transport infrastructure," said the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Y Ty commune.
