Vũ Tiến Quyết, Head of the Road Maintenance Board under the provincial Department of Construction, stated that the department is currently coordinating with four contractors to conduct weekly inspections and monitor regular maintenance activities on over 900 kilometers of roads under their management. These include more than 593 kilometers of national highways such as 4H, 4H1, 4H2, 12, 6, 279, 279B, 279C, and more than 309 kilometers of provincial roads. Before the rainy season, the provincial Department of Construction has directed the contractors to deploy machinery and manpower to clean ditches, fill eroded spots, and inspect bridges and culverts to reduce damage during the upcoming floods.

The road management units are focusing on clearing vegetation, dredging ditches, opening culverts, building road shoulders, resurfacing roads, and setting up traffic signs and posts to protect the roads and infrastructure. They are also ensuring the availability of backup materials, machinery, and equipment for critical locations, ready to keep the roads safe and accessible for the public.

In areas like Mường Nhé district, which are frequently affected by heavy rains, vital roads such as national highway 4H, the Quảng Lâm - Na Cô Sa inter-village road, and others in the region have been prone to landslides. In addition to addressing these landslides, Mường Nhé district focuses on repairing and upgrading bridges, culverts, and retaining walls at high-risk locations. The district has also requested provincial funds to reinforce roads frequently affected by floods and has mobilized residents to help clear drainage ditches and strengthen road sections near residential areas.

At Km 175 + 800 on the National Highway 12 (from Điện Biên Phủ city to Mường Chà district), the Điện Biên Road Corporation has mobilized staff and machinery to dredge ditches, clear culvert openings, level road shoulders, and improve water drainage to prevent flooding. On the Núa Ngam – Huổi Puốc route, the company started clearing ditches and removing grass and mud at the beginning of April.

Bùi Giáp Thìn, Deputy Director of the Điện Biên Road Corporation, explained that the company is one of the four contractors responsible for road maintenance in the province, managing over 330 kilometers of roads. The company is proactively implementing its maintenance plan, ensuring that personnel, materials, and equipment are ready to handle any natural disasters or emergencies. Before the rainy season, the company is focusing on ensuring the drainage system, especially roadside ditches and culverts, can handle the expected rains.

With the mountainous terrain, Điện Biên’s roads are constantly impacted by landslides during the rainy season, and the limited funding for maintenance makes it difficult to ensure safety.

In the coming months, the Road Maintenance Board will continue collaborating with relevant agencies to conduct field inspections, assess road conditions, and develop appropriate maintenance plans for each route. Emergency teams will be stationed at critical points to handle any arising issues promptly, ensuring smooth traffic flow and meeting the needs of the people, especially during the rainy season.