In the midst of the flood - there are soldiers

Immediately after the flood hit, more than 750 officers and soldiers of Regiment 1, Division 324, Military Region 4 promptly marched to the hotspots of Tuong Duong commune to coordinate with local authorities and authorities to organize the evacuation of people, property and emergency rescue.

Working day and night through mud and rushing water, they safely rescued 43 people trapped in deep floodwaters, including many elderly people and children. Many people could not hide their emotions when they saw Uncle Ho's soldiers present in the midst of the raging flood, carrying people through the rushing water, and leading them to safety.

Officers and soldiers of Regiment 1, Division 324, Military Region 4 clean mud at Hoa Binh market, Tuong Duong commune.

At evacuation points, officers and staff of the Defense Command of Region 4 - Tuong Duong proactively provided medical care, distributed necessities, instant noodles, dry food, drinking water, etc. to encourage people to overcome the disaster. These simple, sincere gestures warmed the cold roofs and gave people more confidence in their time of hardship.

Hoa Binh Market - considered the busiest commercial center of the old Tuong Duong district (now Tuong Duong commune) - after one night became a scene of desolation and ruins... More than 200 officers and soldiers of Regiment 1, Division 324 were busy wading in mud, draining water, pushing mud, cleaning up belongings and properties to help people..., becoming a great spiritual support for the people in the highlands.

Hundreds of traders at Hoa Binh market in Tuong Duong commune became penniless overnight.

Mr. Nguyen Van Minh's electronics and refrigeration store at Hoa Binh market was submerged in water for only 2 hours, all the refrigerators, air conditioners, fans, rice cookers... were submerged in mud.

With a dazed face, Mr. Minh said: ''That night, I only had time to run away, all the electrical equipment my wife and I had saved for decades was soaked in water for three or four days, we probably wouldn't be able to sell anything anymore... We were really hoping for the soldiers, today they have returned to the people here. Every house of the people was submerged in the sea of water, each family's manpower was not able to do the job, only the soldiers could help us small traders" - Mr. Minh was emotional.

The road behind Hoa Binh market is currently clogged with mud and garbage up to more than 1 meter.

Not only in Tuong Duong, but also in remote areas of Con Cuong commune - where the flood submerged the committee headquarters, schools and many households - officers and soldiers of Regiment 335, Division 324 still held their ground steadfastly for many days. Despite the rugged and isolated terrain, the forces still coordinated closely with local authorities, the Fatherland Front and mass organizations to survey the damage, organize relief and support people to stabilize their lives.

Leave no one behind

When the water receded, the work of overcoming the consequences became more complicated. The officers and soldiers of the armed forces of Military Region 4 divided into working groups to each isolated village, coordinated with the militia and local youth to urgently dredge mud, disinfect, clean schools, medical stations, clear inter-village roads, and rebuild houses for collapsed households. Their hands were hard-working, their shoulders were heavy with mud, but their eyes still shone with faith - serving the people.

Along with that, dozens of tons of relief goods sent by Nghe An province and benefactors such as rice, instant noodles, drinking water, medicine, life jackets, flashlights... were transported by soldiers by special vehicles and motorboats to the people in isolated areas. Wherever there is difficulty - there are soldiers. They are present in the most dangerous places, not only with food and necessities but also as a symbol of sharing, love, and solidarity between the army and the people.

Soldiers help people clean up mud after the flood.

Major Vi Van Mau, Deputy Commander of the Defense Command of Region 4 - Tuong Duong shared: “Without the support of the army, with limited local forces and means, we could not have completed the rescue mission in such a short time. The army not only helps people with their actions, but also inspires them with their spirit of dedication and self-sacrifice for the people.”

Lieutenant Colonel Dang Van Danh, Political Commissar of Regiment 1, Division 324, said: ''The water has receded, the mud and dirt left in the households is very large, some houses have more than 1m of mud and dirt. The unit is racing against time to help the people as much as possible. Currently, the mud is starting to harden, we have to use high-capacity water pumps, pumping water from rivers and streams to discharge into the mud and dirt to be able to push the mud and dirt out. To speed up the work to help the people, we need many high-capacity pumps, mud suction machines, combined with the efforts of the soldiers to be able to speed up, each hour of delay means more difficulties...''.

Officers and soldiers of Regiment 335 help people in Con Cuong commune clean up mud after the flood.

The flood has receded, but the images of officers and soldiers of the armed forces of Military Region 4 dredging mud, disinfecting the environment, cleaning up, arranging furniture to help people... will remain vividly imprinted in the memories of the people of Western Nghe An. It is not only a gesture of compatriots, but also a vivid proof of the strong and lasting bond between the army and the people.

Article and photos: KHANH TRINH - NGUYEN DUY

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/cho-dua-vung-vang-noi-tam-lu-nghe-an-839025