72 hours of Capital Police accompanying people in flood-affected areas

Faced with complicated developments and rapid water rise, Hanoi City Police mobilized forces and simultaneously deployed many rescue teams, reinforced dikes, protected property and supported people.

Trung Gia Commune Police force and local people protect the dike. *Photo: NB*

Straining in the floodwaters

From the evening of October 8, in Soc Son commune, the water level of Ca Lo river rose rapidly, flooding into residential areas of Ca, Choi, Ben villages and blocks 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. The water level in some places exceeded 2 meters, many households did not have time to move furniture and equipment.

The Soc Son Commune Police force coordinated with departments, branches, and organizations to mobilize motorboats, canoes, life buoys, and specialized equipment, going deep into each small alley and each house, using loudspeakers and flashlights to signal for evacuation. Deeply flooded houses were approached directly; the elderly, children, pregnant women, and sick people were given priority to be taken out first. By dawn, the police force had assisted in evacuating about 50 households from deep flooded areas, ensuring absolute safety for people. At flooded areas, the police force and people had a "sleepless night" racing against the fierce flood to minimize damage to people's lives and property.

In Noi Bai commune, some riverside villages and households were partially flooded. The total number of households affected by the flood was about 600. Many roads were deeply flooded, making it difficult to move. The commune police guided and supported people to move their belongings to higher ground, advised to limit travel; implemented a food relief plan for isolated households; and organized distribution to flooded households.

In Trung Gia commune, the Cau River water rose above the dike, completely isolating more than 2,342 households (9,210 people). Many villages were submerged in water such as An Lac, Lai Son, Do Tan, Hoa Binh , Binh An. The commune police force coordinated with the commune's Disaster Prevention and Control Command, Battalion 86 and the militia to be on duty all night to mobilize and support the movement of people out of the dangerous area. In Hoa Binh and An Lac villages, 175 households (700 people) were urgently evacuated to the Binh An village cultural house, where drinking water, instant noodles and medicine were prepared.

Mobile Police force goes to the fields to help people harvest rice. *Photo: NB*

Staying up all night to guard the dike, saving rice for the people

On the night of October 8, in Da Phuc commune, the Cau River water rose high, overflowing the dike around the Tang Long Pumping Station, threatening the safety of the dike, especially at key points. Da Phuc commune police mobilized 100% of its troops, coordinated with the irrigation force, militia, and army to urgently reinforce the dike, place earthen sacks, block the load, and light up the night to promptly respond.

Faced with the complicated developments of the floods, on the morning of October 9, the Mobile Police force coordinated with the police of Trung Gia and Da Phuc communes to help people harvest and cut flooded rice, transport agricultural products to dry areas, contributing to minimizing damage after the floods. At the same time, the working groups continued to monitor the river water level, check the dike roof, coordinate with the authorities to ensure security and order, and prepare evacuation plans in case of bad situations.

Firefighters and rescuers carry a baby out of a flooded house. Photo: NB

Ensuring the safety of people's lives and property

The city police mobilized the Traffic Police; Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police to deploy all forces and vehicles to be present in time in flooded areas to ensure the safety of people's lives and property. The Traffic Police force, along with motorboats and specialized trucks, coordinated with local authorities, military forces and the Police of Da Phuc, Trung Gia and Thu Lam communes to assist people in moving their property and vehicles to safe places. At many deeply flooded areas, the Traffic Police officers approached each household, giving priority to helping the elderly and children and transporting belongings and vehicles.

On October 9, at Xuan Son village (Trung Gia commune), the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police force used trucks, ambulances, rescue boats, life jackets, and officers and soldiers to coordinate with Trung Gia Commune Police to move people and goods to safety and distribute life jackets.

By 6 p.m. the same day, about 150 people had been evacuated from the isolated area. Notably, the working group promptly rescued Mr. Dang Van Thung (born in 1976), who was exhausted while swimming to a deep flooded area to provide food for his relatives; he was put on a boat, given first aid, and taken safely to the medical station. Currently, relief and recovery work is still being urgently deployed.

Traffic Police Department officers support people with necessities. *Photo: NB*

Continue to deploy support and overcome consequences

Currently, the Hanoi City Police force continues to deploy plans to be on duty 24/7, closely monitor the water level on Cau River and Ca Lo River, coordinate with functional units to monitor the safety of the dike system, support people in cleaning up and restoring their houses and production, and at the same time, ensure security, order and traffic safety in areas affected by floods.

Units under the City Police, especially the Police of flooded communes, the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police, Mobile Police, and Traffic Police, are still closely following the grassroots, readying forces, vehicles, and rescue equipment to respond promptly if the weather situation continues to be complicated.

In addition to helping people stabilize their lives after flooding, the police force also coordinated with local authorities to check electrical and traffic safety, prevent epidemics, and contribute to quickly bringing people's lives back to normal.

On the morning of October 10, the Traffic Police Department - Hanoi City Police said that due to the influence of storm No. 11, the 29 km section of the Hanoi - Thai Nguyen highway was flooded to a depth of 45cm, the flooded area was about 5m long. High-chassis vehicles, trucks, and passenger cars could still pass through, but 4-seat sedans could not move.

The Traffic Police Department recommends that vehicles wishing to travel from Thai Nguyen to Hanoi should follow the following route: Cross the Yen Binh overpass, Thai Nguyen, reach the Phuong Tre red light intersection, turn right to Xuan Cam bridge, Da Phuc commune. From there, you can return to the Hanoi - Thai Nguyen expressway at Bac Phu intersection, Da Phuc commune or go to Soc Son town.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/72-gio-cong-an-thu-do-dong-hanh-cung-nhan-dan-vung-lu-719121.html