soldiers and police take care of every meal, every minute of safety for people
During the historic flood days, Military Region 5 mobilized thousands of officers and soldiers to hot spots. The soldiers wade in floodwaters, not sacrificing to protect the people's lives and property. Not only rescue, the military logistics force also deployed to serve meals to people in the flooded areas of Dong Dak Lak.
It has been 5 days since the self-propelled kitchen truck of Brigade 655 rolled into the flooded area. For 5 consecutive days, the fire in the kitchen has never been extinguished. In the humid air, the sound of a knife blatantly resounds regularly, becoming a warm sound to soothe the damage after the flood.
As soon as they received the order, the kitchen team of 6 officers and soldiers immediately moved to Hoa Thinh commune, choosing a safe location near the flooded area to set up a kitchen. The hot rice balls were cooked quickly but still had enough nutrients. The cook could not finish his sweat in time, just hoping that the people's lunch would not be delayed.
In just 5 days, more than 1,500 meals were delivered to Phu My, My Dien, Canh Tinh villages... where people were exhausted after the flood. Each box of rice with enough meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, and soup is packed in a heat-retaining container so that when it reaches the people, it will still be warm. The soldiers not only stood in the kitchen, but also wandered through the slippery roads to hand over each box of rice.
In the damp kitchen due to rain, the image of union members, women's unions of Hoa Thinh commune, teachers of Hoa Dong Primary School, employees of Tay Hoa Transaction Office Bank... joining hands to wash vegetables and share food moved everyone who witnessed it.
Captain Nguyen Cong Tien shared: Seeing the people lacking hot meals, we just hope to cook more and be more punctual. I'm tired, but seeing people welcoming rice boxes with all their hearts makes me immediately excited."
Captain Nguyen Huu Ry - assistant of the Military Command - affirmed: "During the flood, the logistics force not only serves the soldiers but also has to take care of the people. Self-driving cars help us cook quickly, ensuring the quality of meals in all conditions".
In the life-and-death moments of natural disasters, there was also the timely presence of the police force. It is not just a simple act of rescue, but also a testament to the solidarity of a country that has experienced countless natural disasters and wars in the past.
Prolonged heavy rain caused a series of wards in the East of Nha Trang, Ninh Hoa and Dien Dien, Phuoc Hau communes... to be submerged in water. The entire police force immediately changed to a standby status, mobilizing nearly 10,000 officers and soldiers along with 750 vehicles, from canoes, motorboats to rescue vehicles to rescue people.
The Khanh Hoa Provincial Police's situations handling center has received more than 3,000 rescue requests. Thousands of people - including children, the elderly, and pregnant women - were taken to safety.
At 4:00 a.m. on November 19, 100% of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department were present. At downtime 114, the bell rings continuously. Just a few minutes after each call, the priority car horn rang out in the white rain. At 7:10 a.m. in Phuoc Thuong village, Nam Nha Trang ward, the floodwaters rose across the abdomen, flowing as fast as a waterfall.
Mr. Nguyen Van Man's family of 4 people, including a young child, was trapped in a level 4 house. When the boat approached, the young soldiers immediately plunged into the water, hugged the child, wore a protective shirt and took the whole family out of the danger zone.
Mr. Man choked up: "Without you, my whole family would probably face a dangerous situation."
On the same afternoon, 50 officers and soldiers of the Mobile Police continued to march to Dien Khanh commune - where floodwaters rose unusually, isolating many residential areas.
At hot spots in the South of the province, commanders continuously inspected and directed: "E evacuate people before 5:00 p.m., absolutely do not let any people stay in the danger zone!".
People and volunteer teams - "extended arms" in the rushing water
Heavy rain also caused more than 160 locations in 54 communes and wards in Khanh Hoa to be deeply flooded. From above, many residential areas are isolated like "oases". People had to climb up the attic and roofs to wait for rescue.
While the Army and Police were busy rescuing, dozens of volunteer teams also rushed into the danger zone. Groups such as SOS 115, SOS 77, Tu Nha Be, Hoang Loi, Hoa Ky Co... use their canoes and water motorbikes to approach deeply flooded areas, bring clean water, hot rice and get people to safety.
On the night of November 19, Ms. Thu Huyen's group in Nha Trang received thousands of distress calls. "The water rose rapidly, many people needed to be rescued. We can only try our best to save as much as possible. For many hours, the group continuously moved through flooded areas, taking hundreds of people out of the danger zone. They also prepared free officers' clothing to support families with people killed in the flood.
I dont remember how many people Ive saved. There was a pregnant woman who gave a small portion to the children. There are families whose relatives have passed away due to illness but cannot be buried in the historic flood" - Ms. Huyen said.
Amidst the monsters of water waves, the acts of love of the frontline and the people themselves for each other have become a warm fire in the day of storms and floods.
Each portion of hot rice, each life jacket, each boat trip over the flood to take people to safety... is not only an immediate help, but also adds confidence and motivation for people to overcome the most difficult moments.
