300-ton cargo ship deployed to keep Thuong River bridge safe from flood

(Chinhphu.vn) - In the face of the historic flood that threatens to affect the Thuong River Bridge (Bac Ninh), the railway industry has dispatched cargo trains with a total tonnage of about 300 tons to maintain the bridge. The dispatch of cargo trains to load onto the Thuong River Bridge (Bac Ninh) increases the bridge's load capacity, and counteracts the water pressure when it is likely to rise and sweep away the bridge.

Dispatching cargo ships to load onto the Thuong River Bridge (Bac Ninh), increasing the bridge's load capacity, and resisting the water's force when it rises and sweeps away the bridge - Photo: VNR

According to information from Vietnam Railway Corporation, at Song Thuong bridge (Bac Ninh) Km48+738 Hanoi - Dong Dang route, the water level was 1m from the bottom of the beam at 5:30 am. The company reported to the Railway Blockade Control at Song Thuong bridge at 8:10 am on October 8, 2025 when the water level was 0.95m from the bottom of the beam.

300-ton cargo ship to hold Thuong River bridge

At the same time, the company has announced and coordinated with local authorities to ban road vehicles (motorbikes and rudimentary vehicles on both sides of the stage) at 8:30 am.

By the afternoon of October 10, the water level was 0.65m from the bottom of the beam. The sections of Bac Giang - Pho Trang, Pho Trang - Kep, Voi Xo - Pho Vi were blocked due to flooding, making it impossible to haul stone from Dong Mo.

Based on the flood situation on Thuong River, Vietnam Railway Corporation has registered to pull 6 slag-carrying wagons, with a total tonnage of about 300 tons, to load onto Thuong River Bridge to increase the load capacity of Thuong River Bridge, to counter the water pressure when it is likely to rise and sweep away the bridge.

The railway platform through Soc Son was washed away by floodwaters.

In Soc Son, a representative of Ha Thai Railway Joint Stock Company, the unit managing the Hanoi - Thai Nguyen route, said that on the afternoon of October 9, floodwaters from upstream poured down strongly, sweeping away the entire foundation and ballast stone in the section passing through Trung Gia commune (old Soc Son), leaving two rails exposed in the air.

The landslide was 20-30 meters long, the soil underneath was eroded nearly two meters deep, creating a hollow right below the railway. The roadbed was completely washed away, leaving only the railway track, so all freight trains had to temporarily stop moving.

By 2 p.m. on October 10, the floodwaters had receded but were still overflowing the hollowed-out section of the railway. Erosion and subsidence also occurred at other locations along the route. As the roads around the area were still deeply flooded, many people chose to walk along the railway to get home, which posed a potential danger.

According to Vietnam Railways Corporation, the incident only affected the infrastructure because the Hanoi - Thai Nguyen route is currently no longer running passenger trains, only serving freight with a frequency of about 3-4 trips per month. The unit is coordinating with forces to inspect the scene, assess the extent of damage to fix when the water recedes, and is expected to reopen the route in the next 2-3 days.

The 55km Hanoi - Thai Nguyen railway line, built in 1959, departs from Dong Anh station (Hanoi) to Quan Trieu station (Thai Nguyen). After stopping passenger trains since March 2020, the line mainly serves the transportation of industrial goods and construction materials.

Vietnam Railways Corporation carries out free transportation of relief goods

Implementing the Prime Minister's direction and wishing to share with people and compatriots in areas affected by floods, Vietnam Railways Corporation transported relief goods free of charge to contribute to the whole country in overcoming the consequences of the storm.

Accordingly, the railway sector will only receive and transport free relief goods from organizations and individuals through the People's Committees, Fatherland Fronts and Red Cross Societies of provinces and centrally-run cities.

Vietnam Railways Corporation recommends that organizations and individuals contact the People's Committees, Fatherland Fronts and Red Cross Societies of provinces and cities for specific instructions on procedures for receiving and sending relief goods.

The reception and loading of goods are organized at qualified terminal stations on the national railway network such as: Saigon, Song Than, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue, Dong Hoi, Vinh, Thanh Hoa, Hai Phong... Relief goods will be transported to Giap Bat and Hanoi stations. The free transportation program will be implemented from October 10, 2025 until further notice.

Phan Trang

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/dieu-tau-hang-300-tan-giu-cau-song-thuong-truoc-lu-du-102251010230124277.htm