Soldiers overcome difficulties to effectively help people in flooded areas

More than two weeks after the disaster, the scene here is still chaotic. Roads are blocked by rocks and soil like walls, many houses have been washed away or buried in hardened mud; schools and cultural houses are covered with thick, wet soil. In Ta Do village, Muong Tip commune, Nghe An province, the electricity system has not been restored because the infrastructure is severely damaged, many households have had to take refuge with neighbors or relatives. Huge blocks of rocks and soil have flooded the roads, making cleanup by human power almost impossible.

On both sides of the road through Ta Do village, Muong Tip commune, rocks and soil are piled high.

Rocks and soil blocking the way to people's houses.

A house destroyed by flood.

The wooden house was dilapidated after the flood.

Ms. Loong Y Khin, in Ta Do village, Muong Tip commune, lives alone in a house of gratitude built by the local government a few years ago. The recent flood flooded in, submerging the entire house in a thick layer of mud and rocks. Since the water receded, she has had to stay at a neighbor's house on a high mountainside, because she alone could not cope with the heavy mud. One day, a group of soldiers were mobilized to help. The sound of shovels and hoes echoed, mixed with the sound of mud being thrown out. After a day of hard work, there was not a single dry spot on the soldiers' shirts, and Ms. Khin's small house was cleaned up, returning to its neatness after the days of being devastated by the flood.

Soldiers help clean up Mrs. Loong Y Khin's house after the flood.

To reach residential areas, the troops had to march through high mountain roads with many landslides that posed a potential safety risk. On the first day of arriving in Muong Tip, officers and soldiers of Regiment 335 quickly cleared the Multi-Function House of Muong Tip 2 Primary School to use as a resting place. Power outages for many days meant a lack of water for daily use, forcing the unit to pull nearly 1km of water pipes from the stream. The food and provisions brought along were enough for 3 days, after which the logistics department had to organize supply vehicles to cross the dangerous road to 3 points: Muong Tip, My Ly, and Bac Ly.

Soldiers brought spring water for use.

Soldiers helped people collect belongings soaked in mud.

Soldiers of Division 324 actively help people in Ta Do village, Muong Tip commune clean up the flood.

With the motto of “helping people effectively, ensuring safety”, the troops of Division 324 not only overcome immediate difficulties but also consider long-term solutions, ensuring safety for the force and the people. That is the close coordination between the commander and the local government, the reasonable logistics plan, and the spirit of not being afraid of hardship because the people in the border area are in great need of sharing. Faced with the huge workload, Division 324 arranged its forces scientifically . The work took place continuously from early morning to late afternoon but still ensured the principle of safety and maintained discipline.

In the mountains and forests of Western Nghe An, still shrouded in mud and rocks after the flood, the green uniforms of soldiers have become a solid support for life here to soon revive.

PEAR FLOWER