Maintaining communication during storms and floods.

Reporters cover the response to Typhoon No. 3 in 2024 in Tien Hai district.

In early September 2024, Super Typhoon Yagi , with its immense intensity, struck the northern provinces of Vietnam, causing severe damage to both lives and property. Following the typhoon, the aftermath also caused serious flooding and landslides. During this critical natural disaster, along with the Party committees, government, and relevant forces, reporters from central and local media outlets were present promptly in the typhoon's epicenter and disaster hotspots to report on the developments and consequences of the storm and floods, the difficulties and losses suffered by the people, as well as the efforts of Party committees and governments at all levels in rescue operations, caring for the people, and overcoming the aftermath of the disaster.

Although Thai Binh province was not in the eye of the storm, the impact of Super Typhoon No. 3, especially the rain and floods caused by the storm's circulation, resulted in severe damage. To promptly convey directives and instructions in disaster response; to update on the storm and flood situation; and to report on response activities and damage caused by rain and floods in various localities, the province's media agencies have developed plans and directed teams of reporters to closely monitor specific sectors and areas, ensuring timely, accurate, and comprehensive reporting of information related to the storm and floods.

Reporter Tran Tuan, from the Special Features and Documentary Films Department (Thai Binh Newspaper), was assigned to cover Tien Hai district, a coastal area frequently hit by storms and directly affected by typhoons. To proactively monitor the situation on the ground, Tran Tuan prepared his equipment; he ate, slept, and stayed in the district to be ready to "welcome" the storm. Tran Tuan shared: "Along with closely following the editorial board's propaganda directives, I always proactively follow and gather 'hot' information from the grassroots, from colleagues, and from social media platforms to comprehensively reflect the typhoon response efforts in my area of responsibility."

According to reporter Tran Tuan, on the day the storm hit, the Tien Hai District People's Committee Office became a "forward base" for reporters. Not only local reporters, but also many reporters from central media outlets such as Vietnam Television, Vietnam Radio, Vietnam News Agency , Nhan Dan Newspaper, and Lao Dong Newspaper were present. Although each person worked for a different media organization, they all shared the same thought: how to report the news as quickly and promptly as possible, and to support each other in providing the most authentic images to their audience and readers. Despite working in adverse and dangerous weather conditions, their enthusiasm and sense of responsibility remained undiminished. On the very day the storm hit, on his way back from work, reporter Trung Du's (Lao Dong Newspaper) car broke down. In the middle of the storm, he had to call for rescue and leave his car at the location to quickly return to submit his report.

During natural disasters and storms, equipment such as cameras, video cameras, and other electronic devices are protected by specialized raincoats, but strong winds and heavy rain inevitably cause the equipment to get wet and damaged. Reporters Thu Trang and Tien Dung from the News Department (Thai Binh Newspaper) recall: On the afternoon of September 10, 2024, the storm made landfall in Thai Binh province. Heavy rain and strong gusts of wind caused many power poles and trees to break and fall; many roads in the city were deeply flooded. Around 6 PM, the storm's intensity decreased, but the rain remained very heavy and the wind gusts strong. Forces were quickly deployed to repair the damage and ensure smooth traffic flow. We also received orders to promptly transmit information about the inspection and relief efforts directed by provincial leaders; the urgency and responsibility of the functional forces; and to record and report on the initial damage caused by the storm.

Working in the rain and storms is already difficult for male reporters, but for female reporters, besides responsibility, it requires passion and enthusiasm for the profession. Reporter Luu Ngan, from the Special Topics and Documentary Films Department (Thai Binh Newspaper), shared: During storms and floods, reporters need to make an effort, not afraid of difficulties or hardships, closely follow the industry, field, and area to promptly gather information, and then, from the perspective and thinking of a journalist, "carefully" "package" it into valuable information; conveying images and videos quickly, accurately, and truthfully about the damage and the work of overcoming the consequences. When natural disasters, storms, and floods strike, agriculture is the first sector affected and suffers damage. As a reporter in charge of agricultural propaganda, with over 10 years of experience in journalism, I have been closely connected with farmers, sharing their joys of good harvests and prices, and understanding their losses and damages when natural disasters strike. Perhaps it has been a long time since agriculture and farmers in Thai Binh suffered such extensive damage. The storm passed, and the floodwaters receded, taking with them the sweat, effort, and wealth of farmers who sowed golden harvests in their fields, causing heartache for journalists like myself. “Reporters working in the rain, storms, and floods face many risks and dangers. That remains a constant concern for those of us in charge, as the safety of our reporters must always be our top priority. Only when our reporters have finished their work and returned home do we feel at ease,” shared journalist Nguyen Tung, Head of the Special Topics and Documentary Films Department (Thai Binh Newspaper). Colonel Tong Thanh Son, Commander of the Provincial Border Guard, who directly accompanied and shared the difficulties, hardships, and efforts of reporters covering Typhoon No. 3, stated: “Moving in stormy and flood conditions is very dangerous and challenging, both in terms of personnel and equipment.” However, reporters and journalists remained on the ground, working alongside the forces and people during the storms and floods to film and photograph, promptly conveying information to readers. We were very impressed to witness the dedication, passion for their profession, and sense of responsibility of reporters from newspapers and television stations during the recent storms and floods.

According to statistics, during the rain, storms, and floods from September 6-14, 2024, Thai Binh Newspaper published over 300 news articles and broadcast an average of 100 news bulletins and reports per day on various platforms related to directing and proactively responding to the rain, storms, and floods in the localities.

I have been assigned by the Editorial Board and the department's leadership to be in charge of disaster prevention and control propaganda for over three years now. Working during storms and floods has always given me indescribable emotions and professional growth. As the point of contact for receiving information and directives from the province to "translate" into news articles for the newspaper, I reported to the Editorial Board and requested to be stationed at the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue Command Center to obtain the fastest and most up-to-date information for propaganda work. Directly working with the specialized forces of the Command Center to "monitor" news, I have experienced feelings of anxiety, worry, and apprehension when receiving information about the damage caused by storms and floods... and also moments of relief when the sources reported that the incident had been dealt with, the damage minimized, and the dike system throughout the province remained safe.

After the storm passed, the spirit of national solidarity and brotherhood was rekindled, warming the lives and destinies of those devastated by the natural disaster. We journalists continued to stand alongside the Party committees, government, and people to promptly disseminate information on disaster relief efforts; extending and spreading the beautiful acts and the spirit of mutual support and compassion of our nation. Passion and dedication – these are always the pillars that nurture the souls of revolutionary journalists, worthy of being the vanguard force on the information and propaganda front.

Reporters from Thai Binh Newspaper are working in Thuan Nghiep village (Bach Thuan commune) on September 18, 2024, an area deeply flooded after the recent floods. Reporters working during Typhoon No. 3 in 2024.