Huge wood debris covers the upper reaches of the Nam Non River, making it unsafe for people to travel.

In early August, although the historic flood has passed for nearly a month, people in Huu Khuong commune, Nghe An province still have constant worries.

As an isolated commune in the heart of Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir, people in Huu Khuong commune mainly travel by boat from Thuong Luu ferry (next to Ban Ve hydroelectric dam) to the commune center. However, the historic flood at the end of July 2025 left a huge amount of wood debris stretching over 1km, covering the surface of Nam Non river - the only waterway to enter this border commune.

rac.hoBanVe1.jpg — Wood waste covers the Nam Non River - upstream of Ban Ve Hydroelectric Reservoir. Photo: TUAN VU

According to local people, this situation has lasted for nearly a month now. The amount of waste including plants, trees, wood, bamboo, has been carried by floods from Laos and gathered on the upper surface of Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir, especially in the area passing through Huu Khuong commune, Nghe An province.

Clip: Wood debris covers a large area, stretching for kilometers on the river surface, making it very difficult for people to travel by waterway to Huu Khuong commune.

According to Chairman of Huu Khuong Commune People's Committee La Van Thai, the main source of garbage is large trees, bamboo, rotten wood, and household items swept away by floodwaters. For nearly a month now, the Nam Non River through Huu Khuong Commune has been covered with wood debris, making it difficult for officials, locals, and relief teams to travel to the commune.

Previously, from Thuong Luu ferry, it took 2-3 hours to get to the commune by boat. Now, to get to the commune, cadres and teachers working in other places in the area have to spend twice as much time. The wooden areas cover the surface, boats cannot pass through, we have to follow the path along the riverbank full of jagged rocks, steep slopes, very dangerous, Mr. La Van Thai worried.

As a teacher stationed in Huu Khuong commune, Mr. Tuan (from Tuong Duong commune) returned to school on August 1. According to Mr. Tuan, for teachers from other localities "stationed" in Huu Khuong, the most convenient way to get to the main school and other schools in the area is on the Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir. However, in recent days, the lake surface has been covered with wood waste, making it very difficult for him and his colleagues to move around. Normally, when going in and out is convenient, sometimes when the wind blows, the waste can be pushed to one direction to make it easier to move. "Before, there was no waste in the lake, we could go to school by water and it took about 60-90 minutes, now the waste is covering the lake, moving very slowly and dangerously and it takes 120-140 minutes," Mr. Tuan lamented.

The wooden debris covering the lake surface not only obstructs waterway traffic and pollutes the environment, threatening the ecosystem and water resources. We hope that the authorities and the Hydropower Plant will take measures to promptly remedy the situation so that the people in the area can travel safely, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Huu Khuong commune hopes.

Although not a border commune, Huu Khuong (180km away from the old Tuong Duong district center) is 180km away by road. Traffic is difficult, so production in Huu Khuong is heavily self-sufficient. Therefore, the poverty rate is still over 76%. Currently, Nghe An province is implementing a project to open a road from Yen Na commune to Huu Khuong commune, to Nhon Mai commune. When the road is completed, it is expected to help Huu Khuong eliminate its isolated location, making it easier for people to travel, and ending the "relying on boats" on Ban Ve lake.

HO VAN NGOI

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/rac-go-khong-lo-phu-kin-thuong-nguon-song-nam-non-nguoi-dan-di-lai-bat-an-post807840.html