Flood swept away bridge, hundreds of students 'crossed river' to get to class

TPO - The only bridge connecting the two banks of Nam Non was swept away by the historic flood. More than 160 students in Luong Minh commune (Nghe An) had to cross the river by boat and raft to get to school.

After the historic flood caused by storm No. 3 in late July 2025, the poor mountainous commune of Luong Minh, Nghe An province became one of the localities that suffered the most damage. The Nam Non River and streams rose high, washing away many bridges and roads, seriously disrupting the lives and activities of the people. In particular, the suspension bridge in Xop Mat village - the "gateway" connecting the inner villages with the commune center was severely damaged, making it difficult for hundreds of households to travel.

To get to school, hundreds of students from Luong Minh Primary Boarding School and Luong Minh Secondary Boarding School in Cham Puong, Minh Thanh, Minh Tien, Dua, La, Xop Mat, Minh Phuong, Coi villages... have to take boats and cross the fierce water.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh - Principal of Luong Minh Primary School for Ethnic Minorities said that more than 160 students living in 6 outlying villages have to cross the river to get to school. In particular, in Ca Moong and Xop Chao villages, to get to school, parents and students have to walk more than 40 minutes from the village to the boat dock, then travel by motorboat for nearly 1 hour to reach the center of Luong Minh commune. From the center of the commune, they continue to ride motorbikes across the Xop Mat suspension bridge for about 30 minutes to reach the school. This school year, students from Ca Moong and Xop Chao villages have to cross the river twice because the suspension bridge has broken.

In addition, nearly 300 students of Luong Minh Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities who live in four inner villages including Cham Puong, Minh Thanh, Minh Tien, and Dua village, also have to cross the river to go to school in the commune center, which is most dangerous when the weather is unfavorable.

Although equipped with life jackets, lifelines, and warning whistles, there are only two boats in service, while the number of students, teachers, and parents who need to cross the river every day is up to hundreds of people. A boat can only carry 10-15 students, each trip takes about 15 minutes, meaning that to get all the students to shore, dozens of trips are needed continuously from early morning. Overloading and safety risks are always present.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thang - Secretary of the Party Committee of Luong Minh commune said: “In the long term, the most effective solution is to build a solid bridge across the river. The new school year has begun, and it is also the rainy and stormy season, so having students regularly cross the river and take ferries to school is potentially risky. In the coming time, the commune plans to mobilize the people, together with the local Party Committee and authorities, to open dirt roads and clear traffic jams so that people can travel, and children from 4 outlying villages can go to school without having to cross the river and take ferries. As for students in the 2 villages of Ca Moong and Xop Chao, they still have to take boats from the village to the commune center.”

Back-to-school meal of students at Luong Minh Primary Boarding School on September 3

According to the Party Secretary of Luong Minh Commune, the plan to build a bridge has been considered, but the completion time could take up to 3 years. This is too long for hundreds of students, teachers and parents who are struggling to get to school every day. Therefore, in addition to the efforts of the locality, Luong Minh Commune earnestly recommends that all levels and sectors, especially Nghe An Province and the Central Government, promptly allocate investment capital and shorten the construction time so that the bridge can soon become a reality.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/lu-cuon-troi-cau-hang-tram-hoc-sinh-vuot-song-den-lop-post1775304.tpo