Amidst the flood, keep your heart from retreating

80 years of Vietnam Meteorology and Hydrology is 80 years of silently being with the people during every storm and flood season, harsh or changing weather. This year, that anniversary comes in the middle of special days, Tuyen Quang is struggling to cope with a historic flood, which is considered unprecedented in many decades.

Meteorological staff quietly perform observation duties.

I am a person working in the field of Meteorology and Hydrology, I will never forget these days, when our colleagues, even though many people's houses were submerged in water, still worked tirelessly without leaving their positions, racing against every water level, every rain, every fierce moment of nature.

Running after the flood is not only a duty, but also a command of the heart. When the news came: "The station is isolated, the water is all over", the brothers could only rush to deliver books and professional documents to nearby houses. Their houses could be flooded, their belongings could be swept away, but data - the only weapon to forecast and warn of floods - must be protected at all costs.

A husband called his wife, the phone rang in the pouring rain. The other end of the line said: “Uncle Tuan and I are still following the sidewalk to mark the water level. It is still raining non-stop. We have not had any food or medicine since morning. I feel very tired!” At that moment, all I could do was pray.

We are on duty 24/7 at the office, updating data hourly, continuously issuing additional forecasts based on the rapid and unpredictable changes of floods and rains. From there, we stand side by side with the people in the most difficult places.

When the flood came, many hydrometeorological officers were on duty and lost their properties, their houses were flooded. Some put aside their worries about their families and children at home without food, and focused on their data books. The rain was pouring, the flood was rising quickly, there was no food or water, but they still hugged their measuring devices, tightly wrapped the data in plastic to bring them to a safe place.

A thin raincoat, a few last batteries, and yet still managed to endure the sleepless night in the midst of the flood, not out of courage, but out of responsibility. Because without data, without early warning, the people will be the ones to suffer the most.

Urgent calls: "Ha, we can't go in to supply Duyen and Lan Anh!" or "The water is too strong, we can't contact each other"... created great worries. "Is the water still rising?!" The repeated question was the people's concern, and also the order for us to continue working without rest.

80 years, silent people amidst the storm. The Meteorology - Hydrology industry does not have flashy achievements. But we have timely news, accurate values. Those numbers, if no one recorded, no one measured, would not exist.

Although the flood swept away almost all of their clothes and belongings at the Station and they could have faced danger, 3 officers of the Ha Giang Hydrological Station, Grade I, Tuyen Quang province did not abandon their positions and completed their work well.

Running after the flood, protecting the books, collecting data, updating hourly forecasts are non-stop tasks. Each news report is a drop of sweat, an unfinished sleep, dry eyes from watching the data screen all night. And behind that are the worries and sacrifices of wives, husbands, and children waiting in places where the floodwaters have not yet receded.

Natural disasters are becoming more and more intense, with extreme rains, flash floods, and landslides all bearing the clear mark of global climate change. A year has passed, storm after storm, flood after flood, and hydrometeorologists have had to learn to adapt, modernize technology, improve their expertise, but most importantly, keep their hearts intact.

For a country where no one is left behind, the Meteorological and Hydrological sector is not alone. We are part of the common effort of the whole country, together with the disaster prevention force, army, police, health , media… to protect the people, protect the country in every rainy and stormy season.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Sector's tradition day (October 3, 1945 - October 3, 2025), we do not wish each other anything grand, we just hope for the sky to clear up soon, for the people to be warm, prosperous, and safe, and for more people to "UNDERSTAND, FEEL, and SUPPORT" this silent journey. Because if there is one thing that keeps us going through each flood and each storm, it is: "Responsibility to the People - not a slogan, but a reason to live".

I hope that the people in the flooded areas will soon overcome the difficulties and return to a peaceful life. I wish my colleagues good health and success, and that the KTTV industry will continue to move forward.

Le Thi Ha - Forecaster of Tuyen Quang Hydro-Meteorological Station

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202510/giua-lu-du-giu-trai-tim-khong-lui-buoc-c4a2a44/