Temporarily close Phong Chau pontoon bridge due to rising Red River water level

On the evening of October 1, information about the temporary closure of Phong Chau pontoon bridge, Phu Tho province, was confirmed by leaders of two communes at both ends of the bridge, Huong Non, Tam Nong district and Phung Nguyen, Lam Thao district.

Local leaders said that authorities have temporarily closed the road and prevented vehicles from going down the pontoon bridge. The reason is that the water level of the Red River has risen, many trees and obstacles have drifted and stuck, causing pressure beyond the allowable safety level for this temporary pontoon bridge.

Phong Chau pontoon bridge is closed to ensure safety until further notice.

In the latest news, the meteorological agency said that by 6 p.m. on October 1, the water level of the Red River in Yen Bai had reached 31.13 meters, 0.13 meters higher than alert level 2. It is forecasted that in the next 6-12 hours, floods in Yen Bai will continue to rise above alert level 3.

By around 8am tomorrow morning, October 2, the flood on the Red River in Yen Bai is likely to peak, about 0.8m higher than alert level 3. In the next 12-24 hours, the water level will gradually decrease, but is likely to remain above alert level 3.

Such developments upstream have been pushing the water level, and thus the flow rate, in the Red River at Phong Chau pontoon bridge to rise.

Colonel Nguyen Dang Chien, Head of the Propaganda Department, Engineering Corps, said that the standing force at Phong Chau pontoon bridge has hydrological data of the Red River upstream in Lao Cai and Yen Bai. The specialized department is monitoring the developments downstream, the section flowing through the pontoon bridge.

"Phong Chau pontoon bridge is installed and anchored to serve people's travel in conditions of flow velocity of 2m/s or less. If the flow is stronger, there are plans, such as cutting the bridge to ensure safety," said Mr. Chien.