Although the distance from their post to the collapsed house was only about two kilometers, the deployment was extremely risky and challenging because the route was flooded deeply, with some sections of water over one meter deep and flowing rapidly. To make matters worse, it was the peak of the storm: strong gusts shook the area, trees toppled, and sheets of metal roofing and debris flew dangerously.
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Militia troops of Truong Vinh ward, Nghe An province, clear fallen trees on Tran Canh Binh Street. |
Nonetheless, with the spirit of “Putting the people first,” the standing militia force used a heavy-duty truck to prevent overturning by the wind and set out right away. However, the truck could only travel a short distance before fallen trees blocked the road, forcing the militia troops to continue on foot.
The path leading to Hai’s house was deeply flooded with swift currents, requiring the militia troops to hold hands and wade through. Upon arrival, they found the house completely collapsed. The rescue team called out and used flashlights to signal, but their voices were drowned out by the roaring storm.
Trapped under corrugated metal sheets in a corner of the house and injured, Hai fortunately regained consciousness and managed to signal with his phone light, guiding rescuers to his location. The militia troops quickly pulled him from the debris. His health and mental conditions are now stable.
In a conversation on August 26 morning, Deputy Commanding Officer of Truong Vinh Ward Military Command Nguyen Hieu Trung, who was leading a militia team clearing fallen trees on Tran Canh Binh Street, said that in response to Typhoon Kajiki, the Command deployed 200 militia troops, dividing them into four groups stationed at key points.
Before the storm, the militia force coordinated with other local forces to inform residents of the storm’s developments, help evacuate families at high risk of severe damage to safe areas, reinforce houses, and inspect local dams to issue timely warnings.
After the storm passed, right at night, 50 militia troops were dispatched to key roads to join standing militia forces and other forces to promptly clear fallen trees and debris to reopen traffic.
Translated by Chung Anh