From devastated alluvial grounds to a large reconstruction site
After the historic flash flood on July 17, 24 households in Chit village, Muong Than commune, Lai Chau province completely lost their homes. Many families only managed to escape, and their life savings were swept away by floodwaters.
Immediately after that, Lai Chau province decided to issue an urgent order to build a new resettlement area in San Bay village, about 4km from the flood center area. The new residence is built on an area of nearly 10,000m2 with a scale of 24 level 4 houses along with roads, electricity, domestic water and infrastructure items.
At six o'clock in the morning, the fog still covers the mountainsides surrounding Muong Than valley. On the land in San Bay village, the sound of engines and machines has dispelled the quiet, cold space of the night. More than 400 officers and soldiers along with dozens of machines and vehicles are always present at the construction site in recent days.
Without anyone telling anyone, everyone is working at an urgent pace, with a spirit of speed racing against time so that people can soon have a new and stable place to live after the flood. Some people have just finished the task of searching for victims in previous days, and are now continuing to be present at the construction site.
Amidst the resounding sound of machinery, the first house frames have gradually become clear. From the ground still messy after the natural disaster, the shape of a new residential area is taking shape day by day.
If a few days ago, Muong Than was the place where the race to snatch each ray of hope took place between mud and fierce floods, today, that race has taken on a different meaning - rebuilding homes in lands once devastated by natural disasters.
Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Thang - Deputy Political Commissar of Lai Chau Provincial Military Command said that the biggest pressure at this time is time. Because currently, many households are still having to stay at relatives' houses or temporary accommodation.
Our goal is to complete the first 4 to 6 houses by July 28. Strive to complete all 24 houses from August 10-15 so that people can soon have new places to live and stabilize their lives" - Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Thang said.
From the mud and flood rescue to the journey of revival
The historic flash flood that occurred in Muong Than left particularly heavy consequences. In a short time, many houses were swept away or buried, traffic infrastructure was destroyed, many people died and went missing. The peaceful village suddenly became the focus of a breathtaking search.
Immediately after the natural disaster occurred, thousands of officers and soldiers of the army, police, border guards, militia and rescue forces were mobilized to the scene. Excavators, bulldozers, and specialized vehicles were brought into the flood area, opening roads to access the divided areas, searching for missing people and supporting people to relocate to safe places.
In the following days, rescue work was continuously deployed along with the statistics of damage, support for essential goods, medical care and stabilization of life for affected households.
In parallel with the State's resources, the joint efforts of ministries, sectors, localities, businesses, social organizations and philanthropists from all over are also directed towards Muong Than. Trucks carrying food, necessities, and construction materials are continuously transferred to the flooded area, adding resources to overcome the consequences.
Now, when new houses are gradually appearing in the resettlement area, gradually closing the days of pain and loss. The sound of hammeres and machines echoing today is the beat of a journey of revival.
