A series of motorbikes submerged in mud in Western Nghe An are repaired for free.

In Tuong Duong commune, which has just experienced a historic flood, when the water receded, there were images of muddy roads, flooded mud, and countless damaged properties of the people, of which motorbikes were one of the most damaged vehicles.

According to records, hundreds of motorbikes here were submerged in water, covered in mud, many were swept away by the flood, and when they were found, they were severely damaged. People's lives were already difficult, but now they are even more miserable when there is no means of transportation after the flood, daily activities are disrupted.

While people were confused and did not know what to do, free repair shops spontaneously formed. Mr. Cao Xuan Hieu, the owner of a long-standing motorbike repair shop in Tuong Duong commune, immediately agreed to repair motorbikes for free for people, and at the same time called on other mechanics in the commune to join hands.

Mr. Hieu said: "My house was also flooded, many vehicles and furniture were damaged, but seeing people struggling without vehicles to travel, and the recovery work after the flood will be prolonged, I cannot bear to sit still. Whatever I can fix, people can help. The more difficult it is, the more we have to love each other and help each other."

He said and then bent down to the disassembled car, his hands covered in oil, his face showing signs of fatigue but his eyes still full of determination. In the small house used as a temporary repair shop, many cars were waiting for their turn, with the sound of engines roaring in the mud.

During the two days, dozens of vehicles were brought in for repair by local people, many of which had to be transported by the militia and soldiers of Regiment 1, Division 324 because they were deeply submerged in mud or could not be pushed on foot.

It is known that repairing a car after a flood is not a simple task. Unlike normal damage, cars submerged in flood water for a long time often have mud stuck to all the machine parts, water entering the engine, gearbox, battery, carburetor system, brakes, and even the electrical system. If left for a long time, the internal parts will rust, causing complete loss of operation. In particular, many people, due to lack of knowledge, tried to restart the car immediately after the flood receded, causing water to be sucked into the combustion chamber, causing hydro-hammer, one of the common causes of complete engine failure.

Mr. Hieu and his colleagues had to clean the entire vehicle with clean water, disassemble each part to check the level of damage. This process requires meticulousness and high technique: from removing spark plugs, draining oil, draining water from the cylinder, checking the electrical system, changing oil, to drying the parts with a specialized dryer.

The cars that were deeply flooded still had to have many parts replaced…. Although it was hard, everyone was full of determination.

Along with Mr. Hieu, many local groups of workers have also organized free repair points, or supported the lowest possible price for materials. That quiet sharing is the spiritual medicine for people in flooded areas to overcome difficult days. When the floodwaters recede, it is acts of kindness like this that will help restore life, helping the roofs that have been flooded gradually light up again.