Historic floods: Concentrating all efforts to overcome adversity

Heavy rains caused by storm No. 11 (Matmo) have caused historic floods in many localities of Thai Nguyen province. Over the past 3 days, thousands of households in affected areas have struggled to cope with and overcome the consequences of the natural disaster; Party committees, authorities, organizations, charitable individuals, volunteers inside and outside the province, along with thousands of officers and soldiers of the armed forces have worked day and night, regardless of difficulties and dangers, to accompany people to overcome adversity.

Authorities assisted people in moving to safety.

Hydrometeorological records

The flood peak at Gia Bay Hydrological Station measured during this period was 29.9 meters, nearly 1.1 meters higher than the historical flood peak in September 2024. That number alone is enough to demonstrate the extent of this "great flood". Thai Nguyen was identified as the locality most severely affected by heavy rain from the circulation of storm No. 11. Many rain gauge stations recorded record levels: Hoa Thuong 542.8mm; Song Cau 508.4mm; Nam Hoa 465.8mm; Dong Quang 464.6mm... Many stations in the mountainous areas in the North and Northeast of the province also simultaneously recorded rainfall of over 200mm.

Thai Nguyen Newspaper, Radio and Television continuously receive images and updated information on flood situations, recovery work, relief and rescue activities sent by reporters and collaborators in the areas. The flood situation and initial damage also cover social networks...

Every news about the damage caused by floods and rains makes each of us feel heartbroken. According to preliminary statistics, from October 7 to noon on October 9, the whole Thai Nguyen province had 50 communes and wards affected by storm No. 11, many areas are in the severe landslide warning zone. The natural disaster has left 4 people dead, 2 missing, 2 injured; more than 200,000 houses flooded, many traffic routes were cut off, and infrastructure was severely damaged.

The northern region of the province has 3 key isolated points, landslides occurred in many places causing a number of communes, wards and residential areas to be completely isolated...

Over 100 students of Na Ri Ethnic Boarding School in the flooded area were moved to safety by authorities.

By the evening of October 9, the water had receded in most of the flooded areas in the northern communes and the central area of ​​the province (except for some communes and wards in the south of the province - the flooding situation is still complicated). Many households that had to evacuate have returned home, some areas have had electricity and water supply restored; however, the work of overcoming the consequences of the flood is facing a huge amount of work, requiring urgency, synchronization, close coordination, the participation of all forces and the efforts of the people.

Urgent and resolute from province to grassroots

When storm No. 11 was forecast to affect Thai Nguyen, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee promptly issued a telegram; based on the flood situation and forecast, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee continued to issue documents directing all levels and sectors to urgently and proactively respond; localities also proactively took all measures with the motto "4 on-site". The top priority was to urgently find all measures to approach isolated areas, provide food and necessities, not let any people go hungry, cold, lack drinking water, shelter, or lack clothing; guide people to respond to floods and landslides, ensuring safety of life and property.

Provincial Party Secretary Trinh Xuan Truong and provincial leaders inspected and directed flood response work at Ben Tuong bridge area, Phan Dinh Phung ward, on October 7.

When the flood showed signs of complicated developments, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, leaders of the Provincial People's Committee and localities directly went to the most vulnerable and most damaged points to inspect and command the response work; visit and encourage people to overcome difficulties and ensure safety.

On the evening of October 7, the Standing Committee of Thai Nguyen Provincial Party Committee held an urgent meeting to comprehensively assess the situation, direct response and overcome the consequences. Chairing the meeting, Provincial Party Secretary Trinh Xuan Truong requested the entire political system of the province to take action with the spirit of urgency and the highest responsibility, putting the safety of people's lives and property first. Do not be subjective or negligent; after the flood, there is a risk of landslides and subsidence, it is necessary to immediately prepare appropriate response plans for each locality.

On the morning of October 9, comrade Pham Hoang Son, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, chaired a conference to assess the situation and direct the response and recovery work for storm No. 11 and post-storm floods.

During the inspections and command of overcoming the consequences of floods in recent days and in the meeting on the morning of 9-19, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Hoang Son emphasized that the Party secretaries and Chairmen of the People's Committees of communes and wards must be the on-site commanders, directly directing and inspecting the work of overcoming the consequences of floods, ensuring a proactive, timely and effective spirit. The Army, Police, Militia and Self-Defense Forces, and Youth Union members need to promote their core role in rescue, search and rescue, waste collection, disinfection, treatment of domestic water sources, disease prevention and control after floods... The entire political system has been and is taking part with the most urgent spirit.

Notably, on October 8, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang; and on October 9, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan visited Thai Nguyen to inspect and direct the work of overcoming the consequences of the flood. This demonstrates the deep and timely concern of the Party and State leaders for Thai Nguyen and the people who suffered from this historic flood.

No one is left behind, no one is left behind

Along with the close supervision and determination of the leaders, in the historic flood, the sense of responsibility, bravery and dedication of thousands of cadres, youth, armed forces soldiers, volunteers; and the solidarity and spirit of mutual love of the whole community were promoted more than ever.

Authorities helped move people out of flooded areas to safety.

During the rainy and flood days, Thai Nguyen Provincial Police mobilized 100% of its personnel. Particularly on the night of October 8 and early morning of October 9, the Police force mobilized hundreds of officers and soldiers along with many vehicles and supplies, coordinating with the Army, local authorities and people to urgently reinforce and prevent overflow of Ha Chau dike, Cha dike and other key locations.

Many officers and soldiers worked hard all night to reach isolated households in deeply flooded areas to provide food, necessities, and move people and property, especially women, children, and the elderly, to safety. While performing their duties, 9 police officers and soldiers were injured…

Authorities transport necessities to support households in flooded areas.

Military units also urgently deployed forces to many locations, especially the most vulnerable places, to coordinate in protecting the dike, responding to floods, overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, rescuing, and ensuring safety for people. As soon as the water receded in the central area of ​​the province, on October 9, more than 500 officers and soldiers of Regiment 209, Division 312 (stationed in Song Cong, Thai Nguyen province) and more than 100 officers and soldiers of Brigade 210 (Military Region 1) participated in environmental sanitation, helping and supporting people to overcome the consequences.

Previously, Regiment 209 supported the response and recovery work for the flood in communes and wards that were heavily affected by floods such as Trung Thanh, Song Cong and Bach Quang. The officers and soldiers of the armed forces - the core force in responding to natural disasters - will continue to accompany the local Party committees, authorities and people until life returns to normal.

The rescue force of the Provincial Military Command promptly took the stroke victim in lane 68, Phan Dinh Phung ward, to the emergency room.

Along with the armed forces in the response and recovery activities of natural disasters, there are also thousands of union members, especially youth members. They go to each family that has suffered heavy damage to encourage and support people to clean up their houses and stabilize their lives soon. Each bottle of drinking water, each pack of instant noodles, each banh chung cake filled with love is handed to the people as a message: No one will be left behind.

These days, we can easily see volunteer activities for the community everywhere, including groups of volunteers from other provinces. These are the volunteer kitchens that cook rice without stopping; the relief teams that work day and night, overcoming hardships and even dangers to help people; or just seemingly small actions such as: Running the family generator to help neighbors charge their phones to maintain contact, helping each other clean the house, repair cars...

Many forces participated in cleaning up educational and medical facilities.

Ms. Vu Thi Mai, Head of the Charity Club, which organizes a charity kitchen at Thu Vien Restaurant, Quan Trieu Ward, shared: My house was also flooded, the damage was quite severe. Initially, we did not have a plan to organize this activity, but when we saw the water rising quickly, people in many places were isolated, without food, we could not sit still. Stemming from the feelings for neighbors, for compatriots in trouble, whoever still has strength, please contribute...

Natural disasters are unavoidable, but we can minimize damage by the proactive, decisive and urgent action of the entire political system, and by the cooperation of the entire community, as Ms. Vu Thi Mai said simply: Whoever still has the strength, please contribute.

Thai Nguyen will make every effort to ensure people's safety, stabilize the situation soon, and bring life back to normal, without allowing damage to last or risks to arise - Provincial Party Secretary Trinh Xuan Truong affirmed at an urgent meeting on the afternoon of October 7 .

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/thoi-su-thai-nguyen/202510/mua-lu-lich-su-don-toan-luc-de-vuot-qua-nghich-canh-b293c68/