Horrific flash flood at night in Tuong Duong (Nghe An)

On the morning of September 18, Mr. Vi Van Khiem, Chairman of the People's Committee of Yen Tinh Commune, Tuong Duong District, said: At around 10:00 p.m. last night, September 17, in Yen Tinh Commune, there was a terrible heavy rain and flash floods immediately afterwards.

“Up to now, many crops and people’s belongings have not been able to be counted. We are mobilizing forces to help people overcome important parts to stabilize their lives in the immediate future.”

Flash floods on the night of September 17 and early morning of September 18 caused great damage to the mountainous commune of Yen Tinh. Twenty-eight houses in the villages of Pa Ty, Cap Chang, Cha Lum, Huoi Pai, etc. were flooded from 1m to 1.5m. Two schools in the commune, Yen Tinh Secondary School and Pa Ty Primary School, were flooded. Photo: NH

Scenery of Yen Tinh Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities after the flood. Photo: Tang Mac

A student returns to school amidst trash after fleeing at night. Photo: NH

Female students pick up books covered in mud. Photo: NH

Supplies of teachers at Yen Tinh Secondary School were flooded. Photo: NH

Local people and teachers actively rake mud in classrooms. Photo: Tang Mac

The devastated scene of a highland school after flash floods. Photo: NH

The People's Committee of Tuong Duong district, the Department of Education and Training of Tuong Duong district, and Yen Tinh commune mobilized hundreds of cadres, police, district military command, and youth union to clean up mud at flooded schools to ensure the safety of students and teachers so they can continue teaching. Photo: DT

In addition to schools, 28 houses in Yen Tinh commune were flooded, and many belongings were swept away. Yen Tinh is one of the communes in the mountainous district of Tuong Duong that is often hit by flash floods. In the past 10 years, the commune has suffered more than 3 times of flash floods causing great damage. Photo: LK