Lao Cai: After flash floods, many villages rise from the mud

Along the concrete road leading to Ben and Van villages (Viet Hong commune, Lao Cai), people are busy clearing rocks and soil, repairing fences. In the fields, men are busy hoeing and scraping mud; while women are taking advantage of the time to dry rice and seeds after the flood.

Mr. Hoang Kim Hieu, a resident of Van village, carried wet planks from the stream bank and shared: “The flood swept away most of our assets, but not our will. As long as we have land, we can work. Wherever the water recedes, we will move there and start over.”

One week after the disaster, 236 households returned home; village roads were cleared, electricity was restored, and schools and medical stations were cleared of mud.

According to the report of the People's Committee of Viet Hong commune, the flood caused by the circulation of storm No. 10 damaged 110 hectares of rice and 13 hectares of crops; thousands of livestock and poultry were swept away; dozens of irrigation works, bridges and embankments were severely damaged. The total estimated damage was more than 91 billion VND.

However, just a few days after the flood receded, people voluntarily returned to the village, working with militia, soldiers, and youth to clear mud, rebuild houses, and clear village roads and ditches.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Chien, Chairman of the People's Committee of Viet Hong Commune, said: "We mobilized more than 400 people every day to help people overcome the situation. Up to now, 236 evacuated households have returned, 100% of villages and hamlets have electricity and stable water for daily life."

After the flood, small-scale livestock farmers suffered the heaviest damage. In Ben village, buffalo pens, pig pens, and fish ponds of many families were buried by rocks and soil.

Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Toan, a resident in the village, pointed to the muddy land: “More than 50 chickens and dozens of ducks were swept away. The pig pen collapsed, and the fish pond was also lost. Now there is only an empty pen, we have to gradually clean it up to find breeding stock to raise again.”

Throughout the village, people are starting to find their way back to life: some go begging for corn seeds, some collect bamboo to build cages, some dig ditches to irrigate their gardens. Everyone hopes to be able to plant winter vegetables and raise livestock early so they can have something to eat and sell.

In the corner of the temporary cultural house yard, a group of young people from Van village are repairing the damaged fence of a fish pond.

Mr. Ly Thanh Nam is optimistic: "The flood swept everything away, but now as long as there is water in the pond, we still have hope. In a few days, when we have the seeds, we will release them again."

Donated 1,100 ducklings and feed to flood-affected people in Viet Hong commune, Lao Cai province.

While people were struggling to find the breed, on October 11, Viet Hong commune welcomed a working delegation from the International Nutrition Company WorldFeed Group.

Mr. Tu Nhu Ngoc, the company's director, directly donated 1,100 ducklings and animal feed to households that suffered heavy losses.

The program was held right at the Ben village cultural house yard. Healthy duck cages were distributed to each household. The atmosphere was bustling, everyone's eyes were filled with joy and hope.

Mr. Ngoc shared: “We not only want to provide immediate support but also hope that people can restore production in the long term. Ducks are easy to raise, grow quickly, and are suitable for the terrain of streams and terraced fields in Viet Hong. If taken care of well, they will have income after only three months.”

Along with providing breeds, the company also sends technical staff to guide the care and disease prevention process and commits to supporting the purchase of output products when farmers meet the standards.

Ms. Toan hugged the small duck cage tightly, smiling gently: “Now that I have the breed, the feed, and someone to guide me, I will do it more carefully. I just hope the weather will be kind and stop raining so the ducks can grow up safely.”

Mr. Hoang Kim Hieu was moved: "The flood swept away all our property, but thanks to the help of the government, the army, and businesses, we have more confidence. This time, we will raise ducks to raise a flock, get eggs, and sell them for food."

The landslide roads have been leveled, temporary bridges have been built across the stream, the sound of motorbikes carrying bricks and sand has returned. On the high fields, corn seeds have just been sown. On the land by the stream, people have rebuilt chicken coops and duck coops, the afternoon smoke from the kitchen chimneys gives off a warm glow.

Natural disasters have caused Viet Hong commune to suffer losses, but also highlighted the spirit of self-reliance and solidarity of the people in the highlands.

baoxaydung.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/lao-cai-sau-lu-ong-nhieu-ban-vuc-day-tu-bun-dat-post884331.html