Support for families whose homes were destroyed by falling trees.

(Baonghean.vn) -At 5 PM on May 12, 2014, in Xiểm hamlet, Hạ Sơn commune, Quỳ Hợp district, a fierce tornado toppled a giant banyan tree with a trunk diameter of nearly 3 meters. The fallen tree crushed two houses.

Two houses were crushed by a giant banyan tree.

Ha Son commune used vehicles and machinery to clean up the scene.

Two families, Vo Thi Thanh and Le Thi Trung, were affected by the collapse of the giant banyan tree. Still shaken, Ms. Trung recounted: "When the wind blew strongly, I immediately went inside and locked the doors. Right then, I heard a very loud noise. Before I knew what was happening, I saw the rafters breaking and the cement roof tiles of my house falling down with a loud crash..." Because of the branches and top of the banyan tree, Ms. Trung's house had its roof collapse and many belongings damaged, but luckily no one was injured.

Unlike Ms. Trung's family, Ms. Thanh's house was completely destroyed when a banyan tree fell on it. Ms. Thanh (who was seven months pregnant) and her nine-year-old daughter were inside when the tree fell. Ms. Thanh recounted: "I only heard a loud 'crash,' then everything went dark as I saw wood and corrugated iron roofing covering me. At that moment, I remembered my daughter and heard her call out, 'Mom, I've got a bump on my head!' I thought we were still lucky to be alive..."

The belongings in Ms. Vo Thi Thanh's house were completely damaged.

Mr. Truong Van Tuan (whose house is opposite), one of the first people to arrive and help the two families in distress, said: "The scene was terrifying. Seeing the centuries-old banyan tree collapsing on the house, I thought it would be difficult for Thanh and her child to survive. Along with everyone else, we were clearing away bricks, tiles, and branches when we found the mother and child trapped underneath. It was incredibly lucky..."

Immediately after the banyan tree collapsed onto a nearby house, the Ha Son commune authorities mobilized all police and militia forces, along with residents of Xiem hamlet, to urgently carry out rescue work, hiring vehicles and tree-cutting machines to clear the scene. Mr. Le Van Thanh, Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, said: "The commune arranged for the hamlet to sell the tree, which fetched 14 million VND. This money will be donated to the two families. In addition, we have launched a campaign for organizations, associations, and the entire community to continue contributing funds to help. After clearing the scene, we will erect temporary shelters for the two families..."

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Quy Hop District, Mr. Bui Thanh An, presented the financial assistance to the family. Ms. Le Thi Trung.

Ms. Phan Thị Trí, Vice Chairperson of the People's Committee of Quỳ Hợp District, encouraged Ms. Võ Thị Thanh.

On the morning of May 16th, leaders of Quy Hop district visited Xiem hamlet to offer condolences and provide each affected family with 7 million VND in assistance. According to Mr. Bui Thanh An, Chairman of the Quy Hop District People's Committee, after the severe storm, the district organized an inspection to assess the damage. Following the inspection, it was found that 7 families in Chau Quang, Chau Cuong, and Ha Son communes had their houses destroyed; 90 houses had their roofs blown off; nearly 8 hectares of rice fields suffered over 70% damage; approximately 5 hectares of other crops suffered over 70% damage; over 60 hectares of acacia trees were severely affected; 219 power poles were broken, and 3,285 meters of power lines were severed... The total estimated damage caused by the storm on May 12th is over 6 billion VND.

Nhat Lan