“Tôi chỉ kịp vứt con lên bờ, bất lực nhìn vợ bị lũ nhấn chìm”

“My wife is dead,” Moong Van Loi cried out, searching desperately in the raging stream. No one could hold back their tears as his wife, Moong Thi Tuyet, remained beneath the floodwaters, her body yet to be found. Up on the bank, his children sat on the grass by the roadside, occasionally calling out, “Where is Mom?”

Moong Van Loi looked dazed as he recounted the story of his wife being swept away by the flood. Photo: Tho Tuan

At noon on August 18th, the sun began to shine after a day of torrential rain. The oppressive heat couldn't dispel the chilling sensation of looking down at the roaring Thu stream. A group of people remained gathered near Xieng Thu village (Chieu Luu commune, Ky Son district) searching for the body of Moong Thi Tuyet (also known as Moong Me Tan, 37 years old), who was swept away by the flood on the afternoon of August 17th. Everyone felt exhausted after more than a day of searching, but seeing the heartbreaking cries of the victim's husband, they continued wading into the stream to continue their work.

It was very difficult for us to contact Moong Van Loi, and it took him quite a while before he could speak because the pain of losing his wife choked him up, turning into sobs. He will probably never forget the horrific images from yesterday for the rest of his life.

He recounted that he and his wife lived happily together and had three children. The youngest, Moong Van Cuong, is currently in 7th grade at Chieu Luu Ethnic Boarding Junior High School. On the afternoon of August 17th, because of some urgent matters, the parents of Cut Van Thon asked him and his wife to pick up their child from school.

Around noon, as they crossed the flooded bridge between Xieng Thu and La Ngan villages, the surging floodwaters began to frighten everyone. However, the water was rising rapidly, and if they didn't cross quickly, they might be stranded. Leaving their daughter on the other side of the river, the couple, holding their child's hand, along with Ms. Chich Thi Quang and their nephew Cut Van Thon, hurried across the bridge.

Moong Van Cuong, the son of Mr. Loi, is still in shock as he recalls the scene of his mother being swept away by the flood. Photo: Tho Tuan

“When we reached the middle of the river, everyone screamed in panic because the current was too strong to hold on. Going forward was impossible, and turning back was too late. In just a split second, all five of us were swept away,” Moong Van Loi recalled in shock.

“As soon as we fell, I quickly grabbed my child and, along with a few others, drifted away. At that moment, my wife was struggling in the strong current, shouting, 'Help! Help!' But if I had let go of my child then, the child would have died too, and I might not have been able to save my wife,” Lợi said, choking back tears as he wiped away the tears streaming down his cheeks.

Trôi chừng 500 mét, chân anh giẫm được một tảng đá dưới lòng suối. Moong Văn Lợi lấy đà dùng hết sức vứt con lên bãi cỏ cách đó chừng hơn 2 mét. Anh ngậm ngùi: “Con tôi đứng trên bờ khóc thảm thiết kêu: "Bố ơi, cứu mẹ!" Lúc ấy vợ tôi đã bị nước nhấn chìm. Tôi bất lực nhìn dòng nước dữ cuốn vợ đi mà lòng đau như cắt”.

Hàng xóm đến mong ngóng tin tức của chị Moong Thị Tuyết. Ảnh: Thọ Tuân

Sau giây phút ấy, Moong Văn Lợi như người mất hồn. Nỗi đau mất vợ đông cứng thành tiếng nấc nghẹn ngào. Anh cố công chạy đi khắp nơi tìm kiếm. Anh mò mẫm dưới lòng khe Thù, mắt đỏ hoe, miệng không ngừng gọi tên vợ thảm thiết.

Đến 17 giờ 15 phút chiều 18/8, thi thể chị Moong Thị Tuyết đã được tìm thấy ở cách đó hơn 5km. Nỗi đau đã vơi bớt phần nào nhưng sự ám ảnh và những giọt nước mắt vẫn chảy dài trên khuôn mặt sạm đen của Moong Văn Lợi.