In the face of a historic flood, residents of Trung Thanh ward in Thai Nguyen Province have demonstrated remarkable resilience, bolstered by the unwavering support of military personnel and community volunteers. The crisis began on the evening of October 8, when the rapidly rising Cau River threatened to breach its dikes, prompting an urgent, sleepless night of reinforcement efforts.
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Soldiers of Regiment 209 evacuate Tran Thi Van from Loi Ben residential area to safe area. |
Hundreds of residents, including young people and students, answered the call to action, working alongside over 100 officers and soldiers from Regiment 209, Division 312. Throughout the night, they frantically filled and stacked sandbags to fortify vulnerable sections of the embankment. Despite their tireless work, the river swelled to unprecedented levels, and by dawn, water began spilling over, causing widespread anxiety. Local officials maintained an all-night vigil, coordinating emergency plans as the situation grew more precarious.
When daylight revealed the full extent of the devastation, with entire neighborhoods submerged under muddy water, a massive rescue and relief operation commenced. Military boats from Regiment 209 became a crucial lifeline, navigating treacherous flooded streets to deliver food and supplies and evacuate stranded residents, prioritizing the elderly and children. The human cost of the disaster was evident in stories like that of Tran Thi Van, who lost her home’s contents and most of her livestock before being rescued.
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Troops bring a child from Phu Coc to a secure area. |
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Relief teams deliver meals and supplies to people in Phu Coc. |
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The spirit of unity and compassion strengthens the belief that better days are ahead. |
The spirit of solidarity was the defining feature of the response. Local officials like Tran Thanh Tuan worked nonstop, guiding rescue teams to those in need even as his own home was flooded. Beyond the official efforts, the community rallied together. A group of Buddhists from Thuong Phuc Pagoda organized a mobile kitchen, preparing and distributing around 6,000 meals to victims and rescue workers over two days, funded entirely by donations from compassionate citizens.
By the afternoon of October 9, as the floodwaters began to recede slightly, additional military units from the Hanoi Capital Command arrived to support recovery efforts. The immense hardship was met with an even greater outpouring of unity and compassion, highlighting a powerful community bond that provides strength and hope for rebuilding in the days to come.
Translated by Tran Hoai