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Troops of Division 315 deliver drinking water and instant noodles to flood-affected residents in Xuan Phu, Da Nang. |
For three days and nights, troops of Armored Brigade 574 of Military Region 5 waded through cold, muddy, fast-flowing water to drive nearly 600 wooden piles and pour hundreds of cubic meters of rock, successfully reinforcing a key embankment. Their effort prevented floodwaters from the Ly Ly River from breaching the dike and submerging households in Dong Tram hamlet, Xuan Phu commune.
On the morning of October 29, aboard a rescue canoe laden with food and supplies for families isolated by floodwaters in Que Phu commune, Senior Colonel Pham Thanh Hieu, Commanding Officer of Brigade 574, said, “According to the village elders, this is probably the biggest flood the central region has seen in half a century.”
Although many households had stored instant noodles, dried food, and drinking water, after days of isolation, supplies along both banks of the Ly Ly River were nearly exhausted. Since October 27, the unit has deployed six field cooking teams to the hardest-hit areas. Working with local forces, they set up field kitchens to cook rice, stew meat, and stir-fry vegetables. Each meal was carefully packed into waterproof containers, ensuring it could float on water if necessary. Using produce from their own farms and the “Rice Jar for the Poor” fund, the soldiers donated nearly one ton of vegetables, more than 600 eggs, and 185 kilograms of meat and fish to support residents.
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Troops of Military Region 5 wade through floodwaters to bring aid to flood-hit people. |
After three days of isolation caused by flash floods and landslides, on the night of October 28, hundreds of households in villages 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Tra Leng commune regained contact with authorities, thanks to the timely support of Signal Brigade 574 and reconnaissance teams from the Defensive Area Command Region 3-Tra My under the Da Nang Municipal Military Command.
Residents reported they still had enough food for several days, but many were suffering from coughs and mild fevers without medicine for treatment. Sr. Col. Nguyen Van Hoa, Deputy Chief of Staff of Military Region 5 and Head of the Command Post for disaster response in Tra My, ordered military doctors to conduct “online consultations” and directed UAV teams to deliver medicine and medical supplies to isolated areas. With forecasts predicting continued heavy rain and flooding, on October 30, hundreds of boxes of instant noodles and dry rations were also transported by air and on foot through forests to reach those in need.
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Rescue forces from Engineering Brigade 270 repair landslide damage in Tra Leng, Da Nang. |
In heavily flooded areas such as Hoi An, Cua Dai, Dien Ban, Hoa Xuan, and Hoa Tien in Da Nang; and Son Tay Thuong, Ba Vinh, Tay Tra Bong, Son Linh, and Dak Plo in Quang Ngai, soldiers and local militia, following the direction of Lieutenant General Le Ngoc Hai, Commander of Military Region 5, have, over the past three days, braved torrential rain and rising floodwaters to transport tens of tons of dry rations, instant noodles, bread, and medicine to residents.
On the surging rivers of Ve, Tra Khuc, Ly Ly, Thu Bon, and Vu Gia, rescue boats of the armed forces of Military Region 5 have moved continuously in and out. On their way in, troops carried food and medicine; on the way out, they evacuated the elderly, children, and pregnant women. With the spirit of “caring for people as for themselves,” the officers and soldiers of the military region have opened their barracks to shelter thousands of evacuees. Military medics provide timely checkups and medicine, while soldiers comfort and assist families who have lost or are missing loved ones.
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Military Region 5’s troops brave the floods to deliver food and relief supplies to people. |
To strengthen relief efforts, on October 30, Military Region 5 dispatched working groups to key flooded areas to assess conditions and direct rescue operations. All major units remain on standby, ready to mobilize as soon as the waters recede to help residents recover. Amidst the vast floodwaters, the soldiers and militia force of Military Region 5 stand as a solid wall, steadfastly protecting and supporting people.
Translated by Tran Hoai