Helping people without rest
At 2 p.m. on October 8, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Ha Quy, Second-in-Command and Chief of Staff of Regiment 209, was reported that the Tao culvert in Xay Tay hamlet, Trung Thanh ward, had eroded and was leaking. The regiment’s chain-of-command immediately held a briefing, reported to higher levels, and mobilized troops to handle the situation.
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Troops of Regiment 209 carry sandbags to reinforce the eroded section of the Tao culvert in Trung Thanh ward. |
At that time, other units of Regiment 209 were evacuating residents from flooded areas, delivering food, water, and necessities to neighborhoods such as Ben Ca, Dong Lam, Dinh, and Loi Ben, as well as relocating people and property from Tan Thinh 1 Residential Area.
Upon arrival at the Tao culvert, troops quickly shoveled soil into bags and carried them to reinforce the damaged section. The short 50-meter distance was steep and slippery, but they kept working steadily despite exhaustion. After completing this task, the troops continued sharpening and transporting wooden stakes for embankment reinforcement until late evening.
During a short break, Nguyen Thi Viet from Xay Dong Residential Area and Nguyen Thi Quynh Trang from Xay Tay Residential Area brought watermelons to share with the soldiers, with deep admiration for their spirit and dedication. “This is not the first time they have helped us during floods,” the locals said.
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Rescue boats of Regiment 209 pick up residents in Loi Ben Residential Area in Trung Thanh ward. |
Corporal Ngan Van Ha of Company 5, Battalion 8, said, “Since yesterday, we’ve been going door to door to help evacuate people and their belongings. Even when carrying heavy sandbags, I didn’t feel tired, just wanted to finish quickly to minimize losses for the villagers.”
Braving floodwaters to save lives
On the morning of October 7, Regiment 209 arrived in Trung Thanh Ward to help local authorities. At first, roads connecting the Cau River dyke and riverside areas were still passable, and it was possible to use of Kamaz trucks to evacuate residents. By afternoon, however, the rising water had submerged large areas and cut off access.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huy Phong, Deputy Political Head of Regiment 209, said that more than 400 households in Phu Coc were severely affected, with floodwaters two to three meters deep. All land vehicles were unusable; only military boats could reach the area.
Senior Colonel Tran Van Bich, Second-in-Command and Chief of Staff of Division 312, directly supervised the rescue effort. Strong currents and submerged obstacles made navigation extremely difficult. Senior Captain Chu Dinh Tuan, Deputy Head of Engineering Company 17 under the regiment, and his team had to steer carefully through swirling waters, using poles to probe the route and sometimes bending under electrical wires to pass through safely. Despite the scorching sun, they pressed on toward trapped residents waving and calling for help.
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Regiment 209’s boats evacuate people from deeply flooded areas of Trung Thanh Ward to safe locations. |
When Regiment 209’s rescue boat reached the roof of Tran Van Cac’s house in Loi Ben Residential Area, the faces of exhausted villagers suddenly brightened up. “The soldiers are here, we’re saved!” they shouted as the team helped them aboard and continued to other locations.
Tran Thi Quynh from Dong Lam Residential Area said emotionally, “At first, I stayed to move rice sacks, thinking the water wouldn’t rise much. But soon everything was submerged, only the roof was visible. Over 50 sacks of rice floated away. Luckily, the rescue boat from Regiment 209 arrived in time. I’m so grateful to the soldiers.”
Amid the floodwaters, the boats of Regiment 209 moved tirelessly, evacuating people to safety and delivering food and drinking water to those still stranded.
Nguyen Duc Hung, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Council of Trung Thanh ward, said that since October 7, more than 100 officers and soldiers of Regiment 209 had joined local forces to evacuate residents and safeguard property. “Whatever task they undertake, the soldiers show great dedication and responsibility, embodying the spirit of ‘serving the people’ of Uncle Ho’s soldiers,” he emphasized.
According to Colonel Pham Quang Huy, Political Commissar of Division 312, on October 7 and 8, the division’s units helped evacuate 1,435 elderly people and children, 300 pigs, 150 cows, 20 tons of poultry, and 32 tons of rice, while also repairing damaged structures. Division 312 will continue coordinating closely with the Thai Nguyen Provincial People’s Committee and the provincial military command to monitor the situation, promptly mobilize forces, and assist residents in coping with and recovering from natural disasters.
Translated by Tran Hoai