Hanoi Department of Transport has stated that buses and tourist vehicles with more than nine seats and a load capacity of over half a tonne are banned from running over Chuong Duong Bridge. The vehicles are redirected to use the Thanh Tri, Nhat Tan, Vinh Tuy, and Thang Long bridges.
Chuong Duong Bridge (Photo by Tran Thanh)
The move followed Monday's collapse of Phong Chau Bridge in the northern province of Phu Tho. Additionally, the Red River's water level is rapidly rising after torrential rain and the discharge of hydropower plants.
The Hanoi Department of Transport has called for inspections of all local bridges. People and vehicles must be prohibited from crossing weaker bridges.
According to the Vietnam News Agency, the Red River's water level reached 9.2 metres as of 7 a.m. this morning, surpassing Alert Level 1 by 0.7 metres.
The rapidly rising Red River has caused the inundation in several areas near the river.