After the flood, teachers and students in the highlands are again worried about landslides.

Suffering heavy damage caused by floods, the work to overcome the consequences to welcome the new school year is still being implemented, but the Chieng So Boarding Ethnic Minority Secondary School (PTDTBT THCS) has to face the fear of landslides.

Recent floods

Floods and landslides are always a nightmare for people in the highlands. On the morning of August 1, 2025, heavy rain and flash floods hit Chieng So Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities (Muong Luan Commune, Dien Bien Province), sweeping away almost all of its facilities and teaching and learning equipment. Despite receiving a lot of support, the way back to school for teachers and students here is still difficult because of the constant fear of landslides.

Chieng So Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities

According to the school's report, the total damage is estimated to be huge. Floodwaters have submerged and completely destroyed many important equipment. Specifically, floodwaters have damaged many teaching and administrative equipment of the school beyond repair, including 2 photocopiers, 3 printers, 7 multi-function projectors, 20 computer sets in the computer room and 4 smart interactive screens.

The school's archives were badly damaged by floods.

In addition, many facilities and equipment serving teaching and students' activities were also completely damaged, including 160 sets of student desks and chairs and 120 sets of blankets for boarding students.

All books, notebooks, stories, teaching aids, notebooks, lesson plans and important records and certificates of teachers were soaked in water and severely damaged.

The new school year is full of difficulties for teachers and students of Chieng So Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities.

In recent days, with the efforts of all teachers and staff of the school as well as the attention of all levels, sectors, soldiers, and charity groups, the school's flood recovery work has been basically completed.

Landslides threaten again

"However, what worries the school the most is that a large crack has just appeared on the hill right behind the school area. It is still raining, and there is a risk of landslides happening at any time. This is a lurking danger, making the recovery work more difficult," Mr. Nguyen Danh Hy, the school's principal, told PNVN Newspaper.

Sharing further, Mr. Hy said that recently, local people when moving through the hill located almost next to the school area discovered a large crack. The above information was provided to the school leaders.

The classroom area is affected if a landslide occurs.

During the inspection and measurement, Mr. Hy discovered that the crack was about 20cm wide and 50m long, posing a potential safety risk to the 2-story classroom area and 2 student dormitories.

"With the school's responsibility, we have put up ropes and warning signs in dangerous areas and reported the incident to local authorities, the Department of Education and Training, and Dien Bien province to find a solution to prevent any unfortunate incidents from happening," Mr. Hy shared.

According to the principal, on August 22, 2025, the leaders of Dien Bien province had a directive plan related to the above incident. Accordingly, the entire 2-storey classroom area and 2 student dormitories will not be used, surrounded by corrugated iron, and have danger warning signs posted so that students and residents do not move through.

The school has cordoned off the dangerous area and posted warning signs.

The fact that the 2-story classroom with 6 classrooms is not being used will cause difficulties in finding a place for students to study and stay. Mr. Hy added that in the near future, the school will use the cultural house, part of the old headquarters of the People's Committee of Chieng So commune to renovate and use as a place for students to study.

"This is only a short-term solution. As a long-term solution, the school also proposed moving the school to a safer location to prevent natural disasters that may occur in the future," Mr. Hy shared.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/sau-mua-lu-thay-tro-vung-cao-lai-nom-nop-lo-sat-lo-dat-20250823133946869.htm