The silent hero in the midst of the raging flood

Every year during flood season, Mr. Chien rows his boat to help people cross deep flooded areas. This year, he himself rushed into the raging floodwaters to save 5 people who were about to be swept away.

We met Mr. Tran Dinh Chien (50 years old, Truong Dinh residential group, Hai Van ward, Da Nang city) when the flood water had receded.

Arriving at the small house, the first thing that caught my eye was the living room, almost bare of furniture; the wall was divided into two paint colors: from the floor up about 1.5m, a light color, the rest was a darker blue.

Hai Van ward authorities put up warning ropes and kept people from entering areas with fast-flowing, dangerous water (Photo taken on October 28 at Truong Dinh residential group)

Mr. Chien smiled and explained: During this season (rainy season), every house here puts their furniture up high. Almost every house will have a mezzanine to store all their belongings such as tables, chairs, electronics, machinery, rice, etc. We will also sleep in the mezzanine, the living room will be almost empty.

Pointing to the faint line between the two colors of wall paint, Uncle Chien said: " This is a trace of the historic flood in 2022. My house had a relatively high foundation, but that year the flood water still entered the house up to 1.5m. This year it hasn't, it's just at the edge of the porch."

Looking straight from the porch, you can see the shrimp pond and the large melon field covered with mud. That is also the place where Mr. Chien rushed into the flood to save 5 people a few days ago.

The place where Mr. Chien rescued 4 people whose boat capsized on the afternoon of October 29

Recalling, Mr. Chien said, at around 4 a.m. on October 28, while he was dozing off, he heard cries for help. At that time, the floodwaters were rising rapidly, the road connecting Nguyen Xuan Thu Street (extended) to Truong Dinh residential group was flooded more than half a meter high, and the water had also risen to the edge of his porch. He got up and waded to his nephew's house in front, and he heard the cries from the street more clearly. "I waded out toward the cries and saw the person calling for help trying to hold on to a woman and a motorbike that was about to be swept away by the flood. The young man and I joined forces to pull the woman and the vehicle back up and out of the fast-flowing water ," Mr. Chien recounted, adding , "During the flood season, almost everyone does not sleep deeply in case the water rises quickly. Luckily, at that time, the wind direction was favorable and there was no rain, so I was able to hear and help."

The deep floodwaters at Truong Dinh residential area almost swept away many people (Photo taken on October 28, at this time the water level was still low)

On the afternoon of October 29, when the rain was the heaviest and longest during the recent flood, while sitting outside his nephew's house eating, his family saw silhouettes of people bobbing up and down in the field, also near where the accident happened the night before. Putting down his half-eaten bowl of rice, Mr. Chien told his family that someone must be in danger again. Mr. Chien said that he and his two nephews planned to row the boat out because the water was very high, the highest in the recent flood, the water was flowing rapidly, the rain was very heavy, the wind was strong, more than 1 person would be able to handle the situation better. But the boat was small, if 3 people went out there, they would not be able to rescue people. Therefore, he told his family to stay behind to keep watch, while he rowed the boat out to the water alone. “When I got there, I saw four people clinging to the lightning protection wire on the electric pole, struggling to hold on to the floodwaters. Two men were standing on the bow of the overturned boat, clinging to the electric pole. The two women were in more danger, so I brought them to shore first, then turned the boat around to bring the other two in later ,” said Mr. Chien.

These four people are brothers, husband and wife in the same family, and were returning home when the strong flood water capsized their boat. “ Luckily, it was daytime so we could see clearly and see early. If it had been dark, we would not have been able to save them, because the rain was very heavy, the house had a corrugated iron roof, heavy rain was very noisy, and with strong winds, even if we called for help, we could not hear. The flood water was very cold, not like normal river water. Just soaking in the flood water for a while would have made us exhausted and forced us to let go. If we had discovered it a little later, it would have been difficult to say ,” said Mr. Chien.

I exclaimed: "Aren't you afraid when you go out to save people, sometimes it's late at night, sometimes it's raining, windy and the water is rushing!" Mr. Chien briefly said: "When you see someone in trouble, your natural reaction is to want to save them, everyone is like that."

Upon further inquiry, I learned that every year during the rainy season, he uses his small boat to help people cross deep flooded areas to get to work and home. In previous years, he had also helped many people in distress many times.

Year after year, it has become a habit that on rainy and flood days, he always keeps an eye out over the fields in case someone gets into trouble so he can help in time. “ The other day, I also saw three girls wading through that water area, but at that time the water had gone below the concrete piles on the road so it was safe,” Mr. Chien told me when I told him that a few days ago, I had also come here to record the rain and flood.

Hai Van Ward People's Committee promptly acknowledged and commended the noble, warm and humane gesture of Mr. Tran Dinh Chien.

According to Mr. Chien, Truong Dinh residential group is located in a low-lying area, so every rainy season there is flooding, and the people here are used to it. During rainy and flood days, the People's Committee of Hai Van ward (previously Hoa Lien commune) always sends police, army, and militia forces to block off dangerous flooded areas, not allowing people to enter these areas. However, there are still some people who are subjective or move carelessly, leading to accidents.

He has helped people many times, but Mr. Chien said that it was the right thing to do. The new certificate of merit from the People's Committee of Hai Van Ward given to him after the day he saved someone is neatly hung in the living room. "When I received the certificate of merit, I was also surprised. My niece who works at the Women's Union of the residential group said that the person I rescued the day the boat capsized posted a thank you on Facebook, the People's Committee of the ward knew the information and immediately looked into it. On October 31, Mr. Dung (Mr. Nguyen Thuc Dung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Van Ward - PV) personally went to the residential group's meeting house to present the certificate of merit ," Mr. Chien shared.

Hai Van ward authorities assist people in crossing deep water. (Photo taken on October 28)

Seeing us off, Mr. Chien also reminded us: “Floods are dangerous, so you guys have to be careful when you go to work. Just a little carelessness can cost you your life. Natural disasters spare no one. My mother also died in the 2006 storm Xangsane. Therefore, even though our houses are now somewhat solid, as soon as we hear the storm forecast and the local government recommends evacuation, everyone voluntarily evacuates to ensure safety.”

The road leading to Truong Dinh residential area is now clear, no longer cut off by water, but sand and gravel are still scattered everywhere and many sections of the road from the main road to people's houses are eroded and peeled off. In that place, people are still attached to the land their ancestors left behind, going through the big floods and then the hot sun. Also in that place, there are silent heroes helping people, spreading the warmth of human love amidst the cold of the raging flood.

Chairman of Hai Van Ward People's Committee Nguyen Thuc Dung: "The brave and humane actions of Mr. Chien are highly appreciated and commended by the Hai Van authorities and people. Not only saving the lives of others, but the noble actions of silent heroes in everyday life like Mr. Chien have contributed to strongly spreading the spirit of chivalry and responsibility to the community."

Source: https://congthuong.vn/nguoi-hung-tham-lang-giua-dong-lu-du-429217.html