Ky Son residents help each other overcome the consequences of historic flash floods

On-site forces help people overcome damage after flash floods. Photo: Dao Tho

Flash floods suddenly occurred on the night of October 1, leaving serious consequences for people in Son Ha and Hoa Son villages... of Ta Ca commune and some blocks of Muong Xen town, district.Ky SonImmediately after the incident, the local "4 on-site" force and people together supported the affected families.

Mr. Vi Van May (born 1966) in Hoa Son village, Ta Ca commune said that his family has lived here for more than 40 years, but has never seen such a terrible flash flood. The fierce flood swept away many properties of the villagers. Although they saw their properties drifting away with the muddy water, everyone was helpless against the raging water. Now that the water is gradually receding, the villagers are joining hands to help each other overcome the difficulties.

Mr. Xong Ba Cha - a resident of Son Ha village, Ta Ca commune, recounted that when the flood came at night, the whole family was sleeping, suddenly heard a loud "rumbling" noise, quickly opened the door and saw water carrying rocks, soil, and trees flowing in front of the door. Fortunately, the family only suffered a small amount of property damage. On the morning of October 2, Mr. Xong Ba Cha actively supported other households to overcome the consequences of the flood, however, he said that this work encountered many difficulties because some houses were buried under too much mud.

Land plots in Hoa Son village, Ta Ca commune were buried by mud, soil and rocks after flash floods. Photo: Dao Tho

By noon on October 2, the floodwaters had subsided, but the roads were still impassable due to flooding and landslides. For now, the villagers went to each affected house to help reinforce the house, clear away soil and rocks from the house, and clean up household items. Families lacking food were given help and support.

"For houses and properties that were swept away by floodwaters, they are considered lost; for houses that were tilted or damaged, the villagers will help rebuild them, clean up mud, and clean furniture... to soon stabilize life," said Mr. Xong Ba Cha.

The road leading to Son Ha village was buried in rocks and soil, making travel difficult. Photo: Dao Tho

Mr. Trinh Xuan Dao in Hoa Son village (Ta Ca commune) added that the flood came unexpectedly, people helped each other bring their belongings to the cultural house of block 1, Muong Xen town to store. But after a while, this cultural house was also flooded, and all the belongings of the people were swept away. Currently in Hoa Son village and neighboring areas, many houses and properties have been swept away and damaged, and it is not possible to count all of them.

The terrifying flash flood left thick layers of mud in some hamlets of Ta Ca commune, and the recovery work will be difficult and lengthy. Photo: Dao Tho

Mr. Tho Ba Re - Vice Chairman of Ky Son District People's Committee said: On the morning of October 2, the District People's Committee coordinated with relevant units to focus on mobilizing forces to participate in rescue and overcoming the consequences of floods. In particular, implementing well the "4 on-site" motto in natural disaster prevention, search and rescue; coordinating with units to ensure the fastest traffic route... However, the support work encountered many difficulties because many places were isolated, flooded and landslides made many roads impassable.

Ky Son district is continuing to direct localities and functional forces to urgently overcome the damage caused by flash floods.

Many houses were devastated after flash floods. Photo: Dao Tho

Initial statistics show that by the morning of October 2, in the recent flash flood, a 4-year-old child in Son Ha village, Ta Ca commune died due to a collapsed house, and another child is missing due to being swept away by floodwaters. 3 houses in Binh Son village, Ta Ca commune were swept away; 50 houses in Binh Son village, Ta Ca commune and block 1 of Muong Xen town were flooded, many of which were severely flooded. In addition, many valuable assets of the people were swept away by the flood.