The aftermath of Typhoon Yagi has left a trail of destruction across northern Vietnam, with over 4,000 road sites damaged, including the collapse of two bridge spans and extensive damage to road signage, prompting an estimated 2,000 billion VND in repairs.

The Vietnam Road Administration has been at the forefront of assessing and addressing the damage since the typhoon struck.

As reported on the morning of September 16 by a representative of the Vietnam Road Administration, the typhoon affected a total of 4,177 road locations by September 14.

Notably, 3,924 of these suffered from landslides, road subsidence, and damaged bridges and culverts, while 253 locations experienced flooding.

This includes the notable collapse of two spans of the Phong Chau bridge in Phu Tho province and the closure of four other bridges due to unsafe conditions, exacerbating the transportation crisis in the region.

The typhoon has resulted in 820 points of traffic congestion, primarily due to landslides and flooding. Despite the challenges, the road sector has responded robustly, repairing 555 locations by the evening of September 14. Large landslides and difficult terrain continue to block 12 major locations, delaying full traffic restoration.

Lao Cai province was among the hardest hit, with 58 locations on national highways blocked by landslides. However, proactive efforts by the road management forces ensured that most of these were cleared promptly, with only three locations remaining obstructed due to complex geological conditions and significant groundwater presence.

The provinces of Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, and Cao Bang also face ongoing congestion due to the terrain's complexity, with full clearance expected by September 30.

Additionally, deep flooding at seven points, including three in Ha Nam province, has hindered efforts to restore normal traffic flows, with no set timeline for resolution.

The estimated damages and necessary repairs to the affected road infrastructure are expected to cost about 2,000 billion VND. This includes over 500 billion VND allocated for immediate traffic restoration efforts such as debris removal and temporary road and bridge constructions.

To ensure long-term safety and technical standards, approximately 1,500 billion VND will be needed for reconstructing and repairing the national highways.

In the short term, the Road Administration has distributed steel mesh to various provinces to facilitate immediate repair works and ensure continued traffic flow.

A reserve of 206,000 meshes remains available, with plans to mobilize an additional 40,000 from the Central region to further support northern provinces.

As northern Vietnam continues to recover from Typhoon Yagi, the commitment to restoring and enhancing road infrastructure remains a priority to mitigate the impact of such disasters in the future and ensure the safety and mobility of the region’s residents.

N. Huyen