Crossing mountains, forests, staying up all night to ensure "lifeline" in floods

Lightning fast in the rainy night

In recent years, the telecommunications infrastructure system in Nghe An province has been frequently affected by extreme weather, especially during the rainy and stormy season. This is a major challenge for communications. Therefore, every year, Nghe An Telecommunications Station - MobiFone Northern Network Center has proactively developed plans and response scenarios for each level of damage caused by natural disasters to telecommunications infrastructure in order to minimize incidents that cause interruptions, loss of communication or unstable communication quality... directly affecting customers. In particular, in emergency situations such as storms and floods, Nghe An Telecommunications Station's technical team has quickly deployed response measures, overcoming all difficulties to access affected locations to fix the problem, ensuring that the communication circuit is not interrupted.

The clearest evidence is that during the flood caused by the influence of storm Wipha, Nghe An suffered from many heavy rains over a large area. The river system rose, many roads were cut off, and traffic was congested.

Many downstream areas are at risk of being isolated by floodwaters, essential infrastructure systems are facing severe challenges, including the telecommunications network - the "digital lifeline" of the people and the government. From the highlands of Western Nghe An to the lowlands, floodwaters have begun to flow in, many stations are at risk of being isolated, equipment is flooded, forcing technical staff to act immediately.

Upon receiving the urgent instructions, Nghe An Telecommunications Station immediately activated the rescue plan, mobilized human resources, and prepared to leave. With the determination to move quickly and without delay, during the night, the Station's staff overcame the rain and floods to reach key stations to protect equipment, check power sources, reinforce backup generators, and protect telecommunications infrastructure downstream from the risk of sudden floodwaters...

To achieve that spirit, the cadres and party members of Nghe An Telecommunications Party Cell (under the Party Committee of MobiFone Network Center in the North) always uphold the spirit of being exemplary, leading, and taking the lead in all circumstances. The spirit of party members taking the lead has created collective strength, contributing significantly to helping the unit maintain smooth communication, promptly serving the authorities and people in flood-affected areas.

The proof is that when receiving the mobilization order, all technical comrades in the area not yet affected by the flood volunteered to go, everyone wanted to contribute their efforts to support the areas that were suffering damage. Comrade Hoang Van Chien - specialist of Nghe An Telecommunications Station shared: "As a party member, I am always aware of my responsibility as a pioneer and role model. When people in the flood area need us, we cannot hesitate. The Party Committee has thoroughly instructed and encouraged us, and we are ready to go with the highest determination, just hoping to maintain smooth information flow for the government and the people."

During the recent floods, many technicians such as Hoang Van Quy, Nguyen Canh Hieu, Tran Anh Dung, etc. also proactively registered to go to the base and protect equipment at night. Some comrades had to stay in the area and take on the additional work of their colleagues on the support line, in order to ensure continuous operation throughout the province.

Recalling the equipment rescue mission during the recent flood, comrade Tran Van Phuong - a technician in Anh Son area shared: “We have experienced many rainy and stormy seasons, but this time the rain was too heavy and the water rose quickly. If there was just a delay, the signal could be lost in a large area, with the risk of flooding the station and equipment. The Party Committee, the government and the people could lose contact. Everyone understands that the task at this time is a race against time.”

Keep the digital lifeline flowing

During the rainy and flood days, each successful call is not only a connection of information but can also be a cry for help, an urgent notice or simply a reassurance from a loved one. Understanding this value, the staff and technicians of Nghe An Telecommunications Station always consider this a sacred mission.

The unit has synchronously activated the 4 on-site plans (command, forces, supplies - means, on-site logistics) and 3 readiness plans (ready to prevent, ready to respond, ready to overcome consequences). Points at risk of deep flooding were urgently jacked up, safely dismantled, system monitoring was enhanced and staff were assigned to be on duty 24/7.

Thanks to the efforts despite the danger, many stations were able to safely overcome the flood, without losing contact, ensuring uninterrupted service. The communication network in Nghe An was maintained stably, helping people in the downstream areas to promptly grasp information and instructions from the authorities, and at the same time stay in touch with their loved ones in difficult times.

Gratitude to the frontline "soldiers"

Despite facing danger, many technical staff still put aside their own difficulties to stick with the network and try to complete their tasks. Because more than anyone else, they understand that "everyone chooses the easy work, who will take the hard work?" Typical of that vanguard are comrade Nguyen Manh Hung - technician of Ky Son area, comrade Le Dinh Tuan - technician of Tuong Duong area, when the flood water rose rapidly, they only had time to evacuate their relatives, while all their belongings and houses were submerged and swept away by the water. However, immediately after confirming that their families were safe, they immediately returned to the front line, maintaining communication.

Without stage lights or cheers, the image of the silent footsteps of telecommunications technicians trudging through the rainy night, tool bags on their shoulders, flashlights in their hands, wading through mud and water on flooded roads to protect the lifeline of information will forever be engraved in the memories of flood victims and local authorities.

Sharing about the urgent role of ensuring communication during floods as well as the efforts of Nghe An Telecommunications Station in supporting the government and people to ensure uninterrupted information flow, Mr. Vi Nhu Cuong - Department of Culture and Society of Muong Xen commune said: “During floods, communication is vital, it is the “blood vessel” for the government to promptly direct rescue, warn people and coordinate support forces. If the transmission line is interrupted, the operation and relief work will encounter great obstacles, even directly threatening the lives and properties of the people. We highly appreciate the sense of responsibility and the efforts of the MobiFone technical team in overcoming the problem, ensuring uninterrupted information for the government and villages. This companionship not only contributes significantly to the work of preventing and fighting natural disasters but also brings confidence and peace of mind to people in flooded areas”.

Sharing the same thought, Mr. Tran Van Doan, a resident of Chau Khe commune, expressed: “At the time of the flood with heavy damage, our biggest worry was not being able to contact our relatives. Thanks to the MobiFone Telecommunications technicians who promptly fixed the problem, our phones had a signal again, we were able to call to inform our families of our safety or ask for support when needed. For people in remote areas, this is an extremely valuable help, making us feel more secure in times of trouble.

Overcoming difficulties and braving the floods to keep the "information lifeline" alive is not only a story of sleepless nights, but also a vivid demonstration of the spirit of "Proactiveness - Setting an example - Discipline - Responsibility - Efficiency" that each cadre, party member, and technical staff of Nghe An Telecommunications Station has been carrying out to continue the journey of protecting the network, connecting love, and spreading trust to customers at any time and in any circumstance.