Minh Chau is resilient in storms and floods

Minh Chau island commune proactively responded to storm No. 10, supporting people in harvesting crops and minimizing damage. Photo: Minh Thu

Emergency evacuation order at night

On the night of September 30, when the sky was still cloudy and the rain poured down in torrents, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Minh Chau Commune, Bui Thai Son, and the working group urgently went to the grassroots level. Flashlights flickered on the flooded small alleys. In Zone 5, Chu Chau Village, the water rose rapidly, threatening the livestock farm of Mr. Nguyen Danh Vi - where there were more than 4,000 chickens. During the night, the police, army, local officials, and militia mobilized boats and specialized vehicles to promptly approach and support...

Voices calling to each other resounded in the rain, boats carrying the elderly, children and essential items were taken out of the low-lying areas. Thousands of chickens were transported to high, safe areas. Mr. Vi choked up: "If the government had not arrived in time and the water had flooded the coop, we would have been left with nothing. Fortunately, the commune did not abandon anyone in distress"...

Chairman of Minh Chau Commune People's Committee Bui Thai Son firmly said: "Protecting people's lives, property and production is the number one priority. We consider the timely relocation of poultry flocks not only to maintain the economy for the people but also to prevent the risk of disease after storms"...

The circulation of storm No. 10 not only threatened houses, but also flooded many vegetable areas in villages along the river and alluvial areas. Upon receiving orders, the police force and the Commune Military Command did not hesitate to roll up their pants, wade through the fields, and harvest vegetables with the people, collecting each sack of agricultural products and bringing them to a dry place. Wet vegetable loads were passed from hand to hand in the deep water. On the shore, the voices of children calling for their parents, the rumbling sound of the pump engine, all created an urgent and warm atmosphere...

In Zone 5, Chu Chau village, Ms. Hoang Thi Nhan was still shocked when she recalled the scene of her family's 7 sao of vegetables being submerged by the water. She tearfully said: "If it weren't for the support of the police and military forces, I would have lost everything. Thanks to the timely harvest, my family was able to salvage more than 500 kg of vegetables. There were times when I looked at the surging water and my heart was in turmoil, but then when I saw the officers and soldiers present, all worries disappeared, giving way to faith"...

Not only Ms. Nhan's family, many other households also received timely support, leaving in the hearts of Minh Chau people a deep gratitude for the dedication and disregard for difficulties of the forces... Commander of Minh Chau Commune Military Command Vu Van Thuy shared: "In times of trouble, when people need it, the military and police forces must be present first."

For many hours, immersed in water, more than 30 officers and soldiers together with the people harvested vegetables until 8:00 p.m.; continued to transport more than 4,000 chickens, dogs and pet food to a safe place, ending at 2:00 a.m. on October 1. Not stopping there, the two police and military teams also divided themselves to be on duty 24/7 at the spillway and ferry terminal to ensure the safety of the people. The spirit of rushing forward and wholeheartedly serving the people of the soldiers in Minh Chau island commune has added confidence, helping the people firmly overcome the natural disaster.

As soon as the extreme weather situation was identified, Minh Chau commune issued an urgent notice, quickly evacuated and transported people to safety and closed the ferry terminals and overflow tunnels. Photo: Minh Thu

Maintain the initiative

The nature of the island commune makes travel dependent on the road through the spillway and ferry. When water from upstream poured in, the People's Committee of Minh Chau commune decided to temporarily close the spillway connecting to Vinh Phu ( Phu Tho province), and at the same time issued an urgent warning, asking people to absolutely not risk crossing.

The commune police, militia, and disaster prevention and control teams are on duty 24/7 at key locations. The loudspeaker system continuously broadcasts warnings and instructions on safety skills when traveling, harvesting, and moving assets. At the ferry terminal, spontaneous ferry trips are strictly prohibited, especially during dangerous times. “We would rather stop traveling for a few days than let a tragic incident happen,” said a local resident.

During each on-site inspection, Chairman of Minh Chau Commune People's Committee Bui Thai Son emphasized: "Responding to natural disasters must be proactive. Minh Chau does not allow subjectivity. All forces are on duty 24/7, life jackets, foam buoys, flashlights, medicine, and rescue vehicles are prepared."

Along with that, the Commune People's Committee requested villages, schools, and cooperatives to strengthen propaganda and mobilize people not to gather, not to fish, not to collect firewood in floodwaters, and absolutely not to risk going through deep flooded areas. Riverbank routes are strictly controlled, and communication between police, military, medical forces, and villages is always smooth.

Minh Chau island commune proactively responded to storm No. 10, ensuring people's safety and minimizing damage. Photo: Minh Thu

The Capital Command has also sent forces ready to support. This coordination makes Minh Chau people more secure, because they understand that they are not alone in the fight against natural disasters.

The days of heavy rain passed, the water gradually receded... leaving behind flooded vegetable fields and muddy roads... but on the faces of the people, instead of fatigue, there was pride for having overcome the challenge together.

Minh Chau - the only island commune of Hanoi has shown the strength of military-civilian solidarity in difficult times. Flashlights in the dark, boats carrying people, hands helping people harvest vegetables... all connect to form a strength, rich in humanistic meaning. Upholding the motto "Proactive - timely - safe - effective", Minh Chau has minimized damage, protected people's lives, property and production so that when the storm passes, the flood recedes, the sun rises, the fields are once again filled with vibrant green...

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/minh-chau-kien-cuong-trong-bao-lu-718163.html