Muong Than devastated after flash floods
The road to Muong Than commune is flooded with mud and soil, many sections just opened by excavators have new cracks on the positive slope, soil and rocks continue to fall after rain, making access to the scene potentially dangerous.
It is hard to imagine that just a few days ago, Muong Than - the place known as the largest rice granary in the Northwest region (First Than, second Lo, third Thanh, fourth Tac) was still a peaceful countryside with vast green rice fields, now filled with mud and mourning.
Many rice fields have been buried under meters of mud and rocks. Large tree trunks lie across the stream. Many houses only have foundations or dilapidated walls left. Rustic and familiar household items of many families are now mixed in the thick mud.
After a prolonged heavy rain, flash floods and landslides suddenly occurred, sweeping soil and rocks from upstream into residential areas. The muddy water in just a short time flattened many areas along the stream, cut off traffic and isolated many households.
According to statistics from functional agencies, the historic flood in Muong Than has killed at least 4 people, 4 people missing and 9 people injured. Dozens of houses were swept away or damaged, and many areas of crops, traffic infrastructure and civil works were seriously damaged.
When the water receded, Muong Than village was immersed in a mourning atmosphere. People quietly collected the remaining property among motorbikes and books buried in mud. The flood only lasted for a few hours, but the fertile fields here may take many years to turn green again.
Not leaving hope under layers of mud
Immediately after hearing the news of flash floods and landslides occurring in Muong Than commune, Mr. Phan Van Hoan (residing in Muong village, Than Uyen commune) drove his family's Kubota tractor to the scene, joining hands with functional forces and people to overcome the consequences of the natural disaster.
Over the past few days, despite heavy rain, divided roads and the lurking risk of landslides, Mr. Hoan has been diligently leveling soil and rocks, clearing many traffic jams on roads leading to the affected area.
The tractor, which was originally associated with farming work, has now become a rescue vehicle, bringing officers, soldiers and people through the fast-flowing floodwaters. That timely support contributes to shortening the time to access the scene, serving search and rescue work and transporting necessities to isolated areas.
Amidst the fierce natural disaster, not only functional agencies are stretching themselves to rescue, many people like Mr. Hoan also voluntarily contributed their strength and means, together overcoming dangers. These simple but responsible actions have added strength and faith to people in flood-affected areas.
Sharing about his work, Mr. Hoan said that he only hopes to contribute a small part of his efforts to help people overcome difficulties and stabilize their lives soon.
Right from the first hours after the flash flood occurred, rescue teams quickly approached the scene. Hundreds of officers and soldiers of the Police and Army, along with militia, medical and local authorities, were mobilized to Muong Than.
Directly inspecting and directing at the scene, Mr. Ha Quang Trung - Chairman of Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee said that immediately after receiving the information, the province requested the Party Committee, local authorities and forces to focus the highest effort on overcoming the consequences. In which, priority is given to ensuring the safety of people's lives and property.
For households that need to be urgently relocated, we have arranged temporary accommodation, while ensuring food, clean water and essential needs, not allowing people to be hungry or have no housing" - Mr. Ha Quang Trung added.
In the afternoon of July 19, at the scene, many working groups had to walk through deep mud sections, overcome landslide slopes to bring rescue equipment to the isolated area. In many locations, excavators worked continuously to open roads and remove soil and rocks.
Difficulties come not only from the huge volume of soil and rocks but also because the weather is erratic. Intermittent rain makes the ground soft and mushy, and machines sometimes cannot go deep. Some road sections that have just been opened to traffic continue to be flooded with soil and rocks a few hours later.
In addition to the task of searching for missing people, the forces also urgently evacuated people from dangerous areas, supported the transportation of necessities, drinking water, and medicine to areas still divided; coordinated to overcome traffic, clear mud and help people stabilize their lives.
Amidst the messy scene, the most easily seen image is the green color of military uniforms, border guard uniforms and police uniforms faintly visible on the mountainsides, alongside landslide points or between thick mud streams.
The search in Muong Than is not simply a race against time. It is also a race against the weather, against the rugged terrain, against the dangers that are still present.
To this day, traces of the flood are still imprinted on every mountainside, every roof and Muong Than field. The sound of excavators has not stopped, hundreds of officers, soldiers and rescue forces continue to stick to the scene.
Because more than anyone else, they understand that beneath those layers of mud is not only the task, but also the aspiration of the families waiting.
Rain and floods in the northern mountainous region cause damage of more than 271 billion VND
According to the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, as of 3 pm on July 19, heavy rain, floods, inundation, flash floods and landslides in Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Dien Bien, Son La have caused 5 deaths, 3 missing and 10 injured.
Natural disasters caused 28 houses to collapse, 307 houses damaged, 122 houses to be urgently relocated and 191 houses affected by flooding and landslides. Nearly 700ha of rice and crops were damaged; many roads, irrigation works, electricity and schools were damaged and cut off.
Initial total damage in 4 provinces is estimated at more than 271 billion VND, of which Lai Chau is about 190 billion VND.
In Lai Chau, more than 1,000 officers, soldiers and local forces have been mobilized, along with 11 excavators and 40 vehicles participating in search and rescue, overcoming the consequences. The locality has evacuated 1,686 people from dangerous areas to safe places. Forces are continuing to search for missing people, support people to stabilize their lives, restore traffic, electricity, water and essential works. Localities also review areas at risk of flash floods and landslides, and continue to statistically assess damage to implement support plans. According to VNA
