Khanh Hoa: Stabilization efforts after historic flood

After the flood waters receded, people in the flooded areas of Khanh Hoa faced numerous difficulties. In just one night, many households were left penniless, their assets that they had accumulated over many years were swept away or severely damaged.

Mud and garbage covered the roads and residential areas... Overcoming the loss, people urgently cleaned up their houses, cleaned the environment, and disinfected to soon stabilize their lives after the flood.

Philanthropists support necessities for people affected by floods in Phan Rang ward ( Khanh Hoa ). Photo: Nguyen Thanh/VNA

When the flood passes

At the Prime Minister's urgent online meeting on the morning of November 23 with relevant ministries, branches and localities, Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Secretary Nghiem Xuan Thanh respectfully thanked the Politburo for assigning Ho Chi Minh City to support Khanh Hoa in difficult times. With the huge amount of work to overcome the flood, Mr. Nghiem Xuan Thanh hopes that the military, police, medical forces... and people across the country will continue to support the people of Khanh Hoa.

Returning to the flooded areas of the province, these days, people from all over the country have been coming to share lunch boxes, water bottles, noodle boxes..., helping people in the flood-prone areas of Dien Dien commune, Tay Nha Trang ward to gradually stand up. During these difficult days, the relief meals were handed out to many people, touching many people. One resident shared that he had nothing to eat for two to three days and was very grateful to receive lunch boxes and loaves of bread from the support force and volunteer group.

People in Trung 2 village, Dien Dien commune are still shocked when recalling the time when the water rose so quickly that many families were unable to react. Many households could only gather important belongings to evacuate. Many other families had to bring their entire family to the highest shelf to take shelter from the water and just managed to save their lives.

Mr. Luong Binh Chon, Trung 2 village, said that the heavy rain lasted from the 18th to the morning of the 19th, and the water rose very quickly. Local people had never witnessed such a big flood, so they did not evacuate early. Since then, many families were isolated in the flood. "All electrical appliances, refrigerators, and groceries were soaked in water and completely damaged. The family could only wash what could be used temporarily, and had to throw away everything else. When the water rose, the whole family had to climb to the highest shelf to take temporary shelter and only knew how to keep their lives, not thinking about their property anymore," Mr. Chon recalled.

When the floodwaters receded, it was time for people to return. Seeing the damaged houses, most of them submerged in floodwaters, leaving nothing behind, no one could help but feel sorry. Overcoming the pain before their eyes, with the spirit of "mutual love", they helped each other through the floodwaters; cleaned up their houses, collected the remaining belongings and supported each other to overcome the difficulties.

The people also expressed their emotions at the kindness of their neighbors during the flood. That day, despite the danger, there were people who still jumped into the cold water to save people. Mr. Huynh Cong Viet, a resident of Dien Dien commune, was the one who jumped into the rushing water to bring the elderly and children to safety continuously from late at night until the next day.

Mr. Hoan Cau, a resident of Trung 1 village, recalled that time: "When the water reached the roof, many people in the neighborhood kept calling each other to find a way to escape. While I was still standing on the roof, I saw Mr. Viet tying plastic barrels into a raft. Just a moment later, I saw Mr. Viet jump into the water, pushing the homemade raft to each house. At first, Mr. Viet saved about 5-6 people and brought them to higher ground. Then he continued to return to other areas to look for people in danger. The rescue work lasted from about 5 a.m. until almost noon. After the water receded, he continued to participate in transporting food to the people."

Reconstruction efforts after the flood

People in Ninh Phuoc commune (Khanh Hoa) clean up their houses after the flood. Photo: Nguyen Thanh/VNA

Stories during and after the flood show the spirit of solidarity and solidarity of people in times of trouble. Overcoming heavy losses and damage, the government and people are focusing on overcoming the consequences, gradually rebuilding to soon bring life back to normal.

During the flood, the Army and Police forces mobilized 23,475 officers and soldiers to participate in rescue operations, transporting necessities to isolated areas: more than 2,200 meals; more than 2,280 kg of dry food; 1,350 essential items and utensils... Up to now, these forces are still racing against time day and night, helping people clean up after the flood and soon stabilize their lives.

Under the assignment of the Politburo, Ho Chi Minh City has increased human resources to help Khanh Hoa province overcome the consequences. Floods can cause disease outbreaks, so Ho Chi Minh City has quickly sent doctors and nurses to examine and provide free medicine to Khanh Hoa residents at flooded areas. Up to now, enough medicine has been provided to treat the people.

Nha Trang beach was also affected by the historic flood. Huge amounts of rubbish, mainly small firewood from upstream, washed up on the sandbanks. Many tourism service businesses and youth union members of Khanh Hoa province volunteered to clean up after the flood receded.

This flood in Khanh Hoa has caused great loss of life and property. The whole province recorded more than 30,600 houses being deeply flooded; many schools, desks, chairs, books, teaching equipment were severely damaged; more than 13,300 hectares of rice, crops, fruit trees were severely damaged... The North-South railway through the province is still not able to operate. The initial preliminary damage is estimated at about 5,000 billion VND.

Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Secretary Nghiem Xuan Thanh said that the province will allocate all support from the Central Government and neighboring localities to directly support the people. Khanh Hoa plans to support 60 million VND for completely collapsed houses; 30 million VND for damaged houses; 1 million VND for each affected person; 500,000 VND for each student to buy books. The Provincial People's Committee is finalizing the implementation criteria, ensuring publicity and compliance with regulations. The province also urgently spends 112 billion VND to supplement communes and wards across the province to prevent and overcome damage caused by floods. Along with that, localities provide 2,000 tons of rice from the national reserve for people in affected areas.

In the following days, in flooded areas, schools continued to let all students study online at home. Police and military forces focused on repairing deeply flooded schools, cleaning classrooms; helping people overcome the consequences of floods... Then, students returned to school. In the fields, people were enthusiastically producing new crops... Although knowing there were many difficulties ahead, with the joint help of the whole country, the efforts of each person and each household, new life will return to the people of Khanh Hoa.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/khanh-hoa-no-luc-on-dinh-sau-con-lut-lich-su-20251123175236090.htm