A breathtaking race across the "sea of water".

From the evening of November 18th, heavy rains poured down continuously on Phu Yen ward. Within just a few hours, many roads turned into raging torrents, and areas like Phu Nong, Phuoc Binh Bac, and Phuoc Binh Nam were severely flooded and completely isolated. Approximately 1,500 houses were inundated, with water levels reaching up to a meter in some places, leaving no time to move belongings.

The Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command Center of the ward was brightly lit, its lights piercing through the darkness of the rain and wind, and the telephone rang incessantly. Lieutenant Colonel Do Ngoc Quy, the ward's police chief, held the phone in one hand and jotted down information in a notebook damp with raindrops with the other. Each call represented an emergency, a family trapped, a life awaiting rescue.

On social media, pleas for help were shared rapidly: “The water has reached the roof, we can’t contact our elderly parents…”; “The little one is so cold, the whole family is shivering on the roof…”

All that information was received and responded to immediately by the rescue forces. Motorboats were deployed, approaching each house, despite the raging current. Nguyen Ngoc Minh, a rescue boat driver, recalled: “The water was flowing very fast. The vast expanse of water submerged everything. The boats were pushed against power poles, got entangled in power lines and treetops, and had their propellers broken. Some boats capsized, and the crew had to swim and support each other to continue the mission.”

Despite the danger, the rescue forces fanned out in different directions, heading towards the deepest flooded areas. Two pregnant women were safely transported to the hospital. Two elderly people were carried across the raging floodwaters to the ward's People's Committee headquarters for shelter. Each successful rescue was a moment of overwhelming joy.

A resident of Tuy Hoa ward, suffering from the cold after spending a day and night sitting on a rooftop, was rescued by local forces and taken to the Ward 9 Health Station. Photo: Tuyet Huong

Not only Phu Yen ward, but Tay Hoa commune also faced a historic flood as the water level of the Ba River rose rapidly. According to Phan Xuan Hanh, Secretary of the Commune Party Committee, the water discharge from upstream reached over 13,000 m³/s, causing 17 out of 21 villages to be flooded, with many areas submerged by more than a meter of water.

In the community center hall – which has become a shelter for residents – Mrs. Nguyen Thi Phuong (from Binh Loi village) is still in shock. She recounted: “The water flooded the yard and then the house in the blink of an eye. I had just made a phone call, and a few minutes later, police officers and civil defense personnel arrived in boats. Being taken to the hall, given hot food and warm blankets, I was so happy I wanted to cry.”

In Hoa Xuan commune, the military had to use specialized vehicles and motorboats to reach Phu Khue 1 village. Ms. Dang Thi Du, shivering from being submerged in cold water for hours while cramped with her grandchild, choked back tears as she was brought onto the boat: “The water rose so quickly, my children and I had to break through the corrugated iron roof to climb onto the roof. Looking around, all I saw was vast expanse of water, and the wind lashed fiercely, stinging my face. When I saw the military approaching in the motorboat, I was both relieved and terrified…” In those life-or-death moments, her hope, and that of many other villagers, was held by the bravery of the rescue forces.

In Tuy Hoa ward, heavy rains and flooding have submerged more than 2,000 houses. According to the ward's People's Committee Chairman, Nguyen Cong Thanh, the local authorities mobilized five motorboats, numerous life jackets and lifebuoys, along with police, military, and militia forces. Just on the morning of November 20th, rescuers saved over 600 people, including elderly people living alone, young children, and stroke victims, providing them with first aid and safe shelter at the commune hall. Those with serious conditions were assisted in transporting them to Phu Yen General Hospital for emergency treatment.

Search and rescue forces in Tuy Hoa ward assisted in transporting flood victims to hospitals for emergency treatment.

Ms. Vo Thi Oanh from Dong Phuoc village emotionally recounted: “In 70 years of living here, I have never seen such a terrible flood. The water rose very quickly; in just a few hours, my house was submerged up to the roof. At that time, all I could do was help my husband (who has been bedridden for many years due to a stroke) onto the top of a cupboard and then remove the roof tiles to stick our heads out. Hearing the sound of the commune's rescue boat, I tried my best to shout loudly. Hearing the cries for help, people came and removed the roof tiles to carry my husband and me out by boat to the commune's People's Committee hall. Thanks to the police, soldiers, and commune militia who removed the tiles, my husband and I survived. I will remember this kindness for the rest of my life.”

The devastating floods swept away many possessions and destroyed many homes, but the spirit of solidarity among the people and the authorities remained strong and unwavering. In the darkness of night, boats tirelessly traveled; in the biting cold, handshakes, hot meals, and warm blankets were exchanged hastily but sincerely. Hundreds of officers and soldiers stayed awake for hours, wading through the cold water, clinging to ropes and rooftops to rescue people. The incessant phone calls and minute-by-minute distress calls became their motivation to overcome exhaustion.

Although the floodwaters receded gradually on the afternoon of November 20th, heavy rain continued, and the risk of renewed flooding remained. However, what is commendable is the proactive spirit and swift response of the authorities and rescue forces, which helped minimize casualties and became a source of support for the people in this time of hardship.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/tin-noi-bat/202511/cuoc-chay-dua-nghet-tho-giua-bien-nuoc-13f0092/