Heartbreaking scene after the flood in Cao Bang

Two consecutive storms in 10 days submerged Cao Bang in a "flood on flood", breaking a record that had existed for nearly 40 years. The water receded, leaving behind scenes of devastation and the worry of "not knowing how to recover" for the people of the poor province.

'Flood after flood' submerges poor province

Cao Bang , a mountainous province with many difficulties, had just suffered from storm No. 10 at the end of September, which killed 6 people and damaged more than 5,700 houses. Before the government and people could recover, storm No. 11 (Matmo) came like a double whammy, causing a second wave of floods with even more devastating effects.

At its peak, the flood on Bang Giang River broke the historical record of 1986. The water level reached 185.79m, submerging many areas of the city in water.

The floodwaters rose so quickly that many families were left helpless. "My family had moved their belongings to an attic 4 meters higher, but the water still rose 5 meters, submerging everything," one resident sadly recounted.

The center of Cao Bang province has just experienced two consecutive severe floods. Photo: Ha Cuong

'Lost everything overnight'

In the days after the flood, the center of Cao Bang province looked like it had just gone through a nightmare. Mud covered every road, garbage was strewn about and the stench was overwhelming.

In Thuc Phan ward, the busiest place in the province, there is now only a desolate scene. Motorbikes and cars are half buried in mud. Goods in shops and traditional markets are soaked and damaged.

Many families lost all their property overnight. Ms. Luong Thi Thanh (Hop Giang 7 group, Thuc Phan ward) said that in just one week, her house was flooded twice over the roof, and all of her property worth more than 500 million VND was completely damaged.

The damage was even more severe for economic models. Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, Director of Truong An Cooperative, sadly said that the entire 5 hectares of high-tech greenhouses and crops were flattened by the flood. The estimated damage was more than 2 billion VND.

"Looking at the devastation, covered in mud, the efforts of dozens of workers gone down the drain. Right now we don't know how to get back up," Ms. Huong confided.

According to preliminary statistics, the "flood on flood" caused by storm No. 11 has left 1 person dead, 2 injured, more than 7,500 houses flooded and damaged. About 5,000 hectares of crops were lost. Total damage in the province is estimated at more than 2,000 billion VND.

5 hectares of high-tech greenhouse system of Truong An Cooperative were completely damaged and could not be restored. Photo: La Nga

Total cleanup and remediation

As soon as the water began to recede, Cao Bang province mobilized the entire political system and people to race against time to clean up. Hundreds of cadres, soldiers, youth union members and environmental workers spread out to the streets to collect garbage, scoop up mud and clear sewers.

In Thuc Phan ward, a general environmental cleaning campaign was launched, demonstrating the spirit of solidarity and joining hands to help people stabilize their lives soon. Along with the cleaning, disinfection teams were also deployed to prevent disease outbreaks after the flood.

In a report to the Prime Minister, the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee proposed that the Government and ministries and branches urgently support 1,200 tons of rice for households suffering from crop failures and severe damage. At the same time, the province proposed about 1,000 billion VND in support to restore production and repair seriously damaged key infrastructure works.

The entire political system of Cao Bang province is joining hands to overcome the consequences of floods. Photo: Ha Cuong

Cao Bang province's infrastructure was severely damaged. Photo: Ha Cuong

Scene of mud and trash covering Thuc Phan ward after the flood on Bang Giang river receded. Photo: XĐ

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