Ly village is "reviving" after historic storm and flood

Passing the hairpin bends on the mountain pass road to enter Lang Ly hamlet (Tong Cot commune, Cao Bang), before our eyes there was no longer the green of rice fields and corn fields but only a desolate gray-brown strip after the circulation of two storms No. 10 and 11. The small, remote hamlet with 39 households, mostly Mong and Nung people, of which 25 poor households are "recovering" after the storm and flood.

Deepest flood in 3 decades

At Lang Ly hamlet, when we arrived in early November, the water had just receded after more than a month of deep flooding. The whole hamlet was busy cleaning up and repairing their houses, everything was stained with the devastation of the flood.

Mr. Duong Van Thanh said that his house now has only a dry skeleton. A layer of gray-brown mud covers the floor up to half the window frame. Inside, the remaining items such as a wooden cabinet and a few plastic chairs are all stained yellow by flood water, warped, cracked, lying haphazardly on the floor. The air is thick with the musty, pungent smell of garbage and the bodies of small creatures that were swept away by the water and trapped.

Mr. Duong Van Son, Mr. Thanh's son, said bitterly: "The house is completely destroyed, and there are no crops left. This year, my family of 5 people will probably starve again."

Not only Mr. Thanh's family, but also the households of Mr. Ly Van Vang, Hoang Van Mai, Ly Van Chau, Ly Van Binh... all suffered a total loss after the flood. Mr. Ly Van Vang recalled that the water came so quickly that the whole family only had time to carry a few bags of corn and lead two cows to high ground, then set up a temporary shelter to stay from October 7 to November 7. They could only return when their houses were repaired. His and his son's two houses were submerged in floodwater. Now that the water has receded, he has returned to clean up the mess left behind. "The house is devastated, all the crops are gone. Now I don't know where to start again," Mr. Vang sighed.

Village chief Ly Van Di said that Lang Ly has 39 households with 215 people. Two consecutive storms caused 15 households to have their houses flooded, many roofs were completely damaged, and 24 households lost their crops - the biggest loss in many years. "In more than 30 years of living here, I have never seen the water rise so high," Mr. Di shared. Lang Ly Village is short of water all year round, and in the dry season, we have to go far to fetch water for use, but this year, that dry land is submerged in water.

Right from the first days of the storm and flood, Tong Cot Commune Police were present, coordinating with the government and militia to guide people to evacuate from dangerous areas. Working groups were on duty 24/7, using inflatable boats and rafts to approach each isolated household to transport food, instant noodles, clean water, and medicine. In the cold rain, police officers waded through the water to carry each box of goods to each house, ensuring everyone was taken to a safe place.

Major Tran Van Hung, Deputy Chief of Tong Cot Commune Police, said: “Storms No. 10 and 11 caused heavy damage, especially in Lang Ly hamlet. With the spirit of shock, the police force coordinated with volunteer groups and “Manh Thuong Quan” to transport materials, food and necessities to the people.”

Proactively facing all situations, Tong Cot Commune Police advised the Party Committee, the government and the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control - Rescue to strengthen their forces, check areas at high risk of landslides, and promptly move people and property out of dangerous areas. At the same time, the Police force also supported people in overcoming the consequences of the storm; closely monitored weather developments, and issued early warnings so that people could proactively take precautions. Thanks to the drastic and timely intervention, the whole commune recorded no human losses after the storm.

Together with the militia and other organizations, the Commune Police set up temporary shelters on high ground, stretched tarpaulins, and provided temporary shelters for each family. Amidst the immense floodwaters, small boats continuously transported necessities to each house. “They not only rowed rafts and waded through the water to reach each household, but also helped move property, set up temporary shelters, and helped people clean up after the water receded,” said Mr. Ly Van Di - Head of the hamlet.

Thanks to the timely presence and sense of responsibility of the Commune Police force, the lives of the people of Lang Ly have gradually returned to normal.

People's Police College 1 gave 10 breeding cows to 10 households in Lang Ly hamlet.

Give people a support

Faced with the heavy damage after the storm and flood, information about the situation of Lang Ly hamlet was spread, causing many volunteer groups to come to share the difficulties with the people. Mr. Hoang Van Xanh - the owner of one of the 13 heavily flooded households, emotionally said: "We are very happy and grateful. The roads are long and dangerous, but the "Generous Benefactors" still do not hesitate to come to the people in the highlands who still have many difficulties. My house was deeply flooded, I had to stay in a temporary shelter, so each gift is extremely precious," Mr. Xanh said.

Not only basic support, Lang Ly villagers also received meaningful livelihood gifts. On November 7, the People's Police College I coordinated with Cao Bang Provincial Police and Tong Cot Commune Police to give gifts to households severely affected by storms and floods in Lang Ly hamlet, including 10 breeding cows to poor and disadvantaged households that were deeply flooded and 15 more gifts, each worth 500,000 VND to 15 households in difficult circumstances.

Mr. Duong Van Thanh happily said: “Everyone is happy to receive the breeding cow, they have a livelihood. We will take good care of it, after 3 years of raising it, it will give 2 calves. This is a great asset, helping my family and the people in the neighborhood have a sustainable livelihood”. Among the 10 cows given, one household was lucky enough to pick a “pregnant” cow, in a few months it will have a calf, “one becomes two”, the joy doubled in the midst of the chaos after the flood. Mr. Thanh added: “The cow is a great asset to my family. We will try to preserve and take good care of it so that we have food, clothes, and a stable life”.

For the people here, it is not only a material gift but also a support to restart their livelihood after the natural disaster. From seeds, seedlings, warm blankets to cash support, all are appreciated by the people and considered a great source of motivation to overcome this difficult period.

Colonel, Dr. Dam Van Thuy, Vice Principal of the People's Police College I, said that recent heavy rains, flash floods and landslides have caused severe damage to many localities in Cao Bang, especially Tong Cot commune. In response to these losses, the school has mobilized staff, lecturers and students to donate, demonstrating the spirit of "Serving the people" and the tradition of "helping each other". During the sharing journey, the working group visited Lang Ly hamlet, where the gifts given, especially the breeding cows, were more meaningful than immediate support, helping people have a foothold to restore production and stabilize their lives after natural disasters.

Up to now, Lang Ly still faces many difficulties, but people are actively cleaning up their houses and fields. Each family receives support from neighbors, police, militia, youth union members and commune officials. Despite the shortage, the spirit of solidarity in the highlands is brighter than ever. And there are new buds of life here: a corner of a house has just been rebuilt, a tent has been made more solid, or the sound of children playing on the porch... In the midst of hardship, Lang Ly still maintains a strong belief: As long as we join hands, the village will revive.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/doi-song/lang-ly-dang-hoi-sinh-sau-bao-lu-lich-su-i788270/