Nghe An: Actively responding to and minimizing damage caused by floods

(Baonghean) - Flooding in Nghe An is still complicated as rain continues to fall, and some hydroelectric reservoirs are releasing floodwaters. In this common difficulty, Party committees and authorities at all levels, together with the people, are actively responding to minimize the damage caused by floods.

» Thousands of Nghe An students have to stay home from school due to flooding

» Installing 3 giant pumps to prevent flooding in Vinh market

Many winter crop areas flooded

Continuous heavy rains in recent days have caused many areas of vegetables and winter crops in some localities to be flooded and damaged. In the immediate future, localities are focusing on timely solutions to drain water and preparing plans to restore production. In Dien Chau, continuous heavy rains have flooded nearly 1,000 hectares of various crops, mainly corn on fertile soil with nearly 600 hectares; 200 hectares of peanuts; in particular, nearly 30 hectares of cucumbers planted for the first time in Dien Lam, Dien Cat, Dien An communes... in the form of cooperation with enterprises were flooded and almost completely lost.

Military officers and soldiers evacuate deeply flooded households in Quynh Luu district. Photo: Archive

Mr. Phan Xuan Vinh - Vice Chairman of the District People's Committee said: "The lost corn area is mainly located along the coastal communes, with many teas with 7-8 leaves and about to produce corn. Due to prolonged deep flooding, there is a high possibility that when the sun comes up, they will wilt and die; after the rain, they will have to be destroyed and switched to growing vegetables. The cucumber areas with minor damage will wait for the sun to rise to focus on care, fill in the eroded root soil, and restore the roots...".

Most of the low-lying communes of Nghi Loc were flooded and isolated due to heavy rains and floods. In the district, nearly 190 hectares of peanuts were flooded, and 350 hectares of vegetables were damaged. According to the Head of the Nghi Loc District Agriculture Department, Mr. Nguyen Van Quang, the most serious damage was 160 hectares of shrimp ready for harvest in the communes of Nghi Hop, Nghi Thai, Nghi Quang... which were completely flooded. "Nghi Loc's drainage currently depends on the outlet of the Cam River.

In the immediate future, the district has directed localities to focus on clearing sewers, waiting for water to drain to replant vegetables, and taking care of lightly damaged peanut areas to get seeds for next year's spring crop. As for the lost corn area, because the season is over, when the sun comes up, it will be switched to growing other short-term crops," said Mr. Nguyen Van Quang.

The “record” flooding caused heavy damage to vegetable and ornamental plants in Vinh suburban communes such as Nghi An and Hung Dong. Some vegetable areas were “wiped out”. By noon on October 11, many vegetable areas were still submerged in water. Ms. Hien, Vinh Xuan hamlet, Hung Dong commune (Vinh city) said: “My family planted 3 sao of cabbage, which would be ready for harvest in a few days, but now it has been completely destroyed by the rain, losing more than 6 million VND…”.

In Tan Ky district, 103 dams were full of water, and the riverside areas where corn and sugarcane were grown were flooded. Many hamlets and communes were isolated and currently it is still raining, the river water continues to rise, many households are deeply flooded, and local authorities are evacuating people to safety... In Thai Hoa town, by noon on October 11, rising water caused hundreds of households in Long Son, Hoa Hieu, Quang Phong wards... to be deeply submerged in water, some places 5 to 7 meters deep, forcing local authorities to evacuate.

Many blocks and hamlets were completely isolated by rising water. 100% of lakes and dams in the area were also full. The water level of the Hieu River from upstream was rising. 200 hectares of various vegetables were damaged, over 100 hectares of sugarcane in the alluvial plains of the Hieu River were submerged under water.

Floods downstream of Lam River are rising rapidly, hundreds of households living outside Ta Lam dike in communes of Hung Nguyen district such as Hung Nhan, Hung Loi, Hung Lam... are trying to move their assets and livestock to safety. Most families here have boats and have experience in avoiding floods, so the relocation of assets is being carried out urgently. According to some people, the possibility of flood waters downstream will continue to rise in the coming days.

In Thanh Chuong district, by the end of October 11, 4 houses collapsed or were severely damaged by landslides; 15 houses and 23 barns were flooded; 364 m of fences: 250 m of canals collapsed, 120 internal culverts washed away. More than 539 ha of winter crops and fruit trees were flooded; 277 ha of aquaculture ponds were flooded; 204 livestock and 2,210 poultry died...

Some localities in Bich Hao area bordering Ha Tinh province such as Thanh Xuan, Thanh Lam, Thanh Mai suffered heavy damage. Localities mobilized youth forces to block and direct traffic at flooded areas. Resettlement communes such as Ngoc Lam, Thanh Son were all hit by flash floods... Total damage was estimated at over 5.5 billion VND. District leaders established delegations to go to heavily damaged localities to direct the recovery of consequences; timely support for affected households.

The continued rain, along with the release of floodwaters from some hydroelectric reservoirs, caused flooding in some districts of Que Phong, Quy Chau, Ky Son, etc. In some districts, landslides occurred, causing houses to collapse. In that situation, the border guards promptly rescued 3 families in Na Loi village, Na Loi commune from collapsing. Sadly, the province recorded another case of Mr. Vo Van Thu (35 years old) in hamlet 10, Dai Son commune, Do Luong district, who died due to floods. Thus, by 7:00 p.m. on October 11, floods had killed 8 people in the province (in Yen Thanh, Nghi Loc, Quy Hop districts, Hoang Mai town, Do Luong and Nam Dan).

Authorities at all levels are joining hands to overcome the consequences and stabilize people's lives. In Quy Hop District, 4 houses were damaged; 171 houses were flooded 1 meter deep. 85 hectares of rice, 198.5 hectares of vegetables, 78 hectares of aquaculture, and 100 hectares of crops were flooded. Many commune and village roads were damaged... The total estimated damage was 9,721 million VND.

Floods are still complicated, the district is continuing to mobilize 4 local forces to minimize the damage caused by floods, and at the same time visit and support families whose people died due to floods. In Quynh Luu district, about 1,100 houses were deeply flooded, water flooded into houses and forced people and furniture to be evacuated; hundreds of hectares of vegetables and many irrigation works were also severely damaged. On October 11, leaders of Quynh Luu district inspected and directed flood prevention and control work in localities.

The transport system is badly damaged.

Landslides have appeared on many national and provincial highways, causing a "devastated" scene and cutting off traffic in some places. Relevant sectors and local authorities are actively working to fix the problem and "reconnect" traffic.

Ru Nguoc landslide (Thanh Chuong) on ​​National Highway 46 causes difficulties for people and vehicles passing through here. Photo: Document

During this flood, Ru Nguoc on Highway 46 continued to collapse hundreds of meters.³Landslides affect traffic safety, the government and functional forces have issued warnings to people and vehicles passing by. National Highway 16, section passing through Dong Van and Que Phong communes, has 6 landslide locations, about 1,000 m high.³Rocks and large trees have fallen and covered the road. Mr. Tran Thai Tuan - Head of Dong Van Traffic Department said: This route has been cut off since October 10, the unit is mobilizing 3 excavators to level the road, at km 197 - 198 the mud is soggy and continues to slide, making it very difficult to level.

On National Highway 48, the section passing through Chau Binh and Quy Chau communes, there was a landslide about 200 meters below sea level.³, the traffic management unit has set up warning signs and sent guards at both ends to keep watch. Also on this route, through Chau Thang commune (Quy Chau), the crack from the mountain extends for about 300 m.³ The traffic management unit used mechanical equipment to temporarily level the road, ensuring traffic in step 1.

Many provincial, inter-district and inter-commune roads in the province were also eroded. The most seriously affected were Provincial Roads 531B, 532, 543, 534, 544, 539C... in the mountainous districts of Tuong Duong, Tan Ky, Nghia Dan and Quy Hop, Quy Chau. Nghe An Department of Transport is directing 7 road management units, mobilizing 10 excavators, coordinating with local authorities to handle the first step of traffic safety.

Some areas are still experiencing heavy rain, complicated weather conditions, and the risk of landslides and rockslides on roads in mountainous areas can occur at any time. The transport sector recommends that people and vehicles be extremely vigilant when traveling through mountain roads at risk of landslides. In particular, the transport system in our province has many culverts, so local authorities need to organize propaganda and resolutely not allow people to intentionally cross culverts when flood waters rise and flow rapidly, to avoid tragic human losses.

PV - CTV