Risking his life to fight the water god to retrieve firewood in the rushing water
(Baonghean.vn) - Despite being warned, propagandized and regularly reminded by authorities, many people living along Lam River or near hydroelectric dams still brave the rain, floods and strong currents to fight with the water god to collect firewood and timber.
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| These days, due to the influence of storm No. 3, the water level on rivers and streams in the highlands of Nghe An has risen rapidly. This morning, the water level has shown signs of receding, but still at a slow rate. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| High water levels forced the Ang hydroelectric plant (Xa Luong commune - Tuong Duong) to open flood discharge valves. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| At the foot of the dam, a lot of wood and trash floated down and accumulated. Taking advantage of the situation, many people risked their lives to go down to the river to collect firewood despite warnings from authorities. Photo: Dao Tho |
| Clip: Collecting firewood at the foot of a hydroelectric dam that is releasing floodwaters. |
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| According to our observations, although the Party Committee and the government of Xa Luong commune regularly dispatch forces such as police, military, militia, etc. to stand guard and not allow people to go down to collect firewood. However, when these forces leave to go to another location, some people disregard the danger and go back to work in the river. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| The trees and firewood here mainly drift from upstream, but some are also wood from planted forests. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| The main tool of these people is a long pole with a hook attached to pull in firewood. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| Some people even used chainsaws to cut wood right on the riverbank. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| Firewood and timber are gathered not far from the shore. Photo: Dao Tho |
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| According to records in Anh Son, on the morning of July 20, the flood water on Lam River rose very quickly, submerging most of the alluvial flats along the river in Anh Son district. The river water flowed strongly, dragging along a lot of trash and firewood in the middle of the stream. Some people in Tuong Son commune (Anh Son) risked their lives rowing small boats to collect firewood. Photo: Tuong Anh |
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| Small boats sway on the turbulent water. When encountering a large log, these people are ready to go into the rapids to push the log onto the boat. Photo: Tuong Anh |
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| If we can find small pieces of wood, we will tie a rope to it and gather it on the shore. Photo: Tuong Anh |
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| Each family participating in collecting firewood has a separate gathering place and the collected firewood will be marked with its own mark to avoid confusion. Photo: Tuong Anh |