The meaning of compatriots in storms
"This storm is big, if it does not go, it will be dangerous for both mother and child. Thanks to the cadres, my mother and I are reassured. That is a very real confession of Ms. Dau Thi Minh (60 years old, Quyet Thanh hamlet, Dien Chau commune, Nghe An province). Ms. Minh struggles to take care of her 85-year-old mother-in-law who is bedridden every day. Before storm No. 5, in the midst of the pouring rain, the mother and child were taken by militia with a three-wheeled vehicle to a safe place.
On August 25, when storm No. 5 made landfall, Dien Chau commune (Nghe An) became one of the hot spots that had to be urgently evacuated. More than 700 households, with 2,000 people, have been mobilized to leave their unsafe homes to temporarily take shelter at Dien Bich Primary School.
In a situation similar to Minh, Ms. Do Thi Hai, a single mother raising a son with intellectual disabilities, always receives encouragement and help from the government and the community.
They have not only protected people from the storm but also brought spiritual warmth in times of danger.
With such sharing, even during the fierce storms, Dien Chau people do not feel lonely.The affection for compatriots and humanity in times of trouble is even more clearly demonstrated, warming everyone's hearts and helping them overcome difficulties, continuing to hope for a stable and peaceful future.
Mr. Ha Xuan Quang - Secretary of the Dien Chau Commune Party Committee - said: "All commune cadres are on duty at 100% of the army. Before 8:00 a.m. on August 25, all people in the danger zone were forced to evacuate.
Directions from the Central Government: Putting people's lives first
According to hydrometeorological experts, storm No. 5 can have a combined impact: At sea, there are very strong winds, big waves and rising water, on land there are strong winds, especially heavy rain, locally over 600-700mm, leading to the risk of widespread flooding, flash floods and landslides.
Therefore, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has raised the warning to level 4 - a very high level.
As soon as the storm was moving offshore, on the evening of August 24, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh - Head of the National Civil Defense Steering Committee - was directly present in Nghe An, inspected the work of anchoring ships at Cua Lo port and chaired an urgent meeting with leaders of provinces from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri.
Also participating were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and leaders of many ministries and branches, showing strong direction and high concentration.
The Prime Minister emphasized: "Putting people's lives first and foremost. Saving people, not killing people is the highest goal. That decisive directive is not only an act of order for the government apparatus, but also a message about the humane and consistent spirit of the Government: Natural disasters can rob property, but are determined not to rob lives.
According to the report, more than 59,000 vessels and boats from coastal provinces from Thanh Hoa to Hue have been brought to safe shelters. Over 90,000 households in dangerous areas are ready to relocate with full plans to ensure food, clean water, and necessities. 24 hydropower reservoirs in the North Central region are regulated promptly, minimizing the risk of dam failure and flash floods.
Golden time for action
On the morning of August 25, at the Military Region 4 Command Center (Nghe An), Central Party Committee member, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha chaired a meeting of the Forward Steering Committee on responding to storm No. 5. He emphasized: "We don't have much time. This is a golden time to deploy simultaneous and urgent response measures.
From Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri, each group of cadres, soldiers, militia, and youth volunteers focused on reinforcing dykes, evacuating residents, checking each boat and cage for aquaculture. The image of soldiers in Military Region 4 soaking in the wind and rain, carrying sandbags and stone baskets to reinforce Hoi Thong dike (Nghi Xuan, Ha Tinh) - the most vulnerable dike - left many emotions. Nearly 16,500 officers and soldiers along with more than 100,000 militia and self-defense forces have been mobilized to be ready for rescue.
Logistics work has also been carefully prepared. 426 tons of rice, instant noodles, and dry food have been reserved; hundreds of schools, cultural houses, and commune headquarters have become safe shelters for the people. Even in the worst situation of being isolated, "four on-site" (on-site command, on-site forces, on-site means, on-site logistics) still ensures that people do not lack hunger or clothes.
What is worth noting is the initiative of the government: The provinces have stopped all seafood exploitation activities, allowed students to stay home from school, and mobilized tens of thousands of local forces to participate in response. Local leaders directly went to the grassroots, "sleeing with the people", "living with the people", determined not to let anyone stay in dangerous places.
People agree: "First of all, we must listen to the government" In storm prevention, people's consensus is a key factor.
No more " evasion" or "torturing assets", this time, from Quang Ninh to Quang Tri, people have seriously complied.Thousands of households have accepted to leave their homes, take their young children and the elderly to safe shelters.Many fishermen boldly leave behind fishing gear and boats, because they understand: Network is paramount.
In Cua Lo (Nghe An), when the Prime Minister directly inspected, he requested to be determined not to let people stay in the anchorage area. The fishermen were initially hesitant, but when they heard a detailed explanation and were supported with transportation, they agreed to leave the boat. A fisherman shared: "The government has given us a place to eat, a place to rest, and food and drinking water. If you lose a sea trip, you can still take a second trip, but your life is only one.
In Ha Tinh, hundreds of youth union members joined hands with the army to reinforce the Hoi Thong dike. In Quang Tri, people volunteered to help each other move furniture, remove corrugated iron roofs, and tie up their houses. In Thanh Hoa, people in the mountainous areas also urgently left the landslide area, walking dozens of kilometers to safety.
Towards the 80th Anniversary of National Day: Joy in Safety
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized: "The country is preparing to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2, so we must respond to the storm with the most urgent, drastic, proactive spirit at the highest level, so that the people can join in the common joy of the nation".
In the context of the whole country being covered with flags and flowers in preparation for the big festival, efforts to prevent storms become even more sacred and meaningful. That is not only an immediate task, but also a commitment to a State that always takes the people as the root, acts for the people. The image of the Government leaders walking in the rain to inspect, the Army soldiers sticking to the dike with the people, the commune and ward officials knocking on each house to evacuate - clearly shows " proactive, urgent, and unanimous" in front of the National Day.
Prime Minister directs drastic response to storm No. 5
On August 25, storm No. 5 with very strong intensity still moved quickly towards the mainland of our country. Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed Official Dispatch No. 146/CD-TTg directing the continued drastic implementation of the response to storm No. 5.
The dispatch requested Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, agencies under the Government; Secretaries and Chairmen of People's Committees of the provinces: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh and localities that have forecasted the risk of prolonged heavy rain after the storm according to their functions, tasks and authority to continue to focus on leading, directing, and implementing drastic emergency response measures to storm No. 5 and floods with the spirit of proactive response at the highest level; be ready to deploy the fastest response to natural disaster consequences right after storms and floods to ensure activities to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2 and open a new school year to ensure safety, joy and warmth for the people.
The dispatch also requires immediate implementation of evacuation of people in areas at risk of flash floods, landslides, and landslides; Ensuring the safety of dams, mobilizing helicopters to support the relocation and evacuation of people; Guiding people on skills to cope with strong storms and floods to reduce damage.
Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee Le Hong Vinh directly inspected the coastal commune of An Chau on the morning of August 25 - where more than 380 households had to be relocated. He requested local authorities to resolutely evacuate people from the danger zone, ensure adequate logistics at the evacuation point, and closely monitor the situation for timely response.
Nghe An Provincial People's Committee issued an urgent telegram at the same time, requesting the blocking of the vulnerable road, prohibiting people from going out from 11am to 10pm on August 25, except for forces on duty.
According to records, from 10am on August 25, in Cua Lo town and Vinh city (old), there was heavy rain, strong winds, and high waves. Police and military forces were deployed to block off, guide people, and resolutely handle violations of road ban.
Meanwhile, in Quang Binh, the mountainous commune of Thuong Trach recorded 135-145mm of rain, winds of level 4-5, many culverts and roads to the village were flooded. Some landslides have isolated Nong Cu and Nong Moi villages. Local authorities, along with border guards, police, and militia, have blocked off and put up warning signs, ready to evacuate high-risk villages.
From Nghe An, Ha Tinh to Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, measures to respond to storm No. 5 have been implemented synchronously and drastically according to the "4 on-site" motto. The authorities are sticking close to the facility, promptly evacuating people, reinforcing key projects, ensuring security and order, and smooth communication.
