On the evening of October 1, speaking to a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, a leader of the People's Committee of Phung Nguyen Commune, Lam Thao District, said that the Phong Chau pontoon bridge in the area is temporarily out of service.
According to the leader of Phung Nguyen Commune People's Committee, the Red River water level today has risen higher and is flowing faster, causing many trees and obstacles to get stuck and put pressure on the pontoon bridge. In response to this situation, the authorities have temporarily removed the pontoon bridge to let the trees and obstacles drift away, while cleaning up and carrying out other safety measures.
To ensure safety, Phong Chau pontoon bridge is temporarily closed to the public until further notice.
That same evening, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting issued flood news on Thao River (Red River).
Accordingly, at 6:00 p.m. on October 1, the water level at Yen Bai station was 31.13 m, 0.13 m above Alert Level 2. It is forecasted that in the next 6 to 12 hours, the flood on Thao River in Yen Bai will continue to rise above Alert Level 3. In the next 12-24 hours, the flood on Thao River in Yen Bai is likely to peak, then decrease and stay above Alert Level 3.
With the above developments in the upper Red River, the water level at Phong Chau pontoon bridge area has risen higher and the flow speed has increased.
According to Lao Dong's source at the Phong Chau pontoon bridge area, it is currently raining in this area, and the road leading to the river wharf has been barricaded by authorities. Vehicles wishing to temporarily cross the river will have to go around Ngoc Thap bridge in Phu Tho town.
Phong Chau pontoon bridge is a field pontoon bridge built by the 249th Engineering Brigade (Engineering Corps) to ensure smooth traffic after the Phong Chau bridge collapse on September 9.
On September 30, Phong Chau pontoon bridge officially opened to traffic, serving the travel needs of the people. The bridge allows non-motorized vehicles, motorbikes, scooters and cars with less than 7 seats to travel from 6am to 10pm every day.
