Working in the heart of the flood and untold stories of journalists

Face the danger

On the evening of June 18, attending the "Fire of the Pen" exchange program organized by the Provincial Journalists Association and the Provincial Radio and Television Station, I heard many valuable sharings from my colleagues. Among them, I was especially impressed with the documentary images of the working trip to the flash flood area that occurred in Nam Giai commune, Que Phong district in 2007. At that time, reporter Tran Duy Ngoan was swept away by the water, his camera still around his neck, fortunately he was rescued by his colleagues and the armed forces. These valuable documents vividly demonstrate the dedication of the press reporters at that time. Also during the event about working in the Nam Giai flash flood area, I heard journalist Cong Sang, former Head of the Economic Reporter Department of Nghe An Newspaper, talk about the walking trip with his colleagues from Chau Kim commune to Nam Giai commune with the spirit of not being afraid of hardship, not being afraid of danger...

Those images reminded me of the times when I and my colleagues went into the flood zone. Those were the times working in the flash flood area in Ky Son in October 2022, in the flood zone of Luong Minh, Tuong Duong district in October 2024... through those times participating in those "battles", I witnessed the dangers that threatened the lives of "insiders".

The “insiders” are not only reporters, they are also local government leaders, armed forces participating in rescue, and people helping each other in times of trouble…

In October 2024, I worked with reporter Thanh Phuc at the epicenter of the flood that occurred in Luong Minh commune, Tuong Duong district. The flash flood came at night, and the next day it was still raining and the roads and mountain slopes along the only road leading to Luong Minh commune continued to collapse. During the work, we learned that a delegation of officials from the Tuong Duong District People's Committee had entered Luong Minh commune at night, when the flash flood had just passed. At that time, it was still raining and the only road leading to Luong Minh commune continued to collapse. At that time, comrade Nguyen Huu Hien - Vice Chairman of the Tuong Duong District People's Committee, on his way, unfortunately stepped into the landslide area close to the riverbank.

Reporter Thanh Phuc, Nghe An Newspaper working at the flood epicenter of Luong Minh, Tuong Duong in October 2024. Photo: Hoai Thu

“When I discovered that the mud under my feet had sunk, I quickly jumped into the roadway, just as the entire piece of dirt under my feet collapsed into the rapidly flowing river. I almost…” - Mr. Nguyen Huu Hien recounted. Later, when working in Tuong Duong district and meeting Mr. Nguyen Huu Hien, we had the opportunity to “ask” the cadre to tell us the “secret” of the life-saving jump, to better understand and share the difficulties and hardships of grassroots cadres, especially in remote areas.

Also during the reporting trip to the flood epicenter of Luong Minh, reporter Thanh Phuc and I completed our mission with 10 news and updated articles in 2 days, partly thanks to the help of local government officials as well as the Military Command of Tuong Duong district. They “escorted” us many times on the more than 20km road, the only road from National Highway 7 to Luong Minh commune. The most memorable moments were when we sat in a car going over the suspension bridge. The car swayed along the bridge, below was the muddy, turbulent flood water. Sitting in the car, we still had to wear life jackets and lower the car windows to be ready to respond to situations that had been predicted in advance…

A group of reporters from Nghe An Newspaper crossed a stream to reach a residential area isolated by landslides and flash floods in Bao Nam commune.

A group of reporters from Nghe An Newspaper crossed a stream to reach a residential area isolated by landslides and flash floods in Bao Nam commune. Photo: PV

It can be said that in flash floods and natural disasters, the armed forces always play a pivotal role in supporting and overcoming the consequences. For example, in October 2022, a flash flood occurred in Ky Son district. The terrifying flash flood was considered the most terrible in the history of Ky Son district up to that time. Immediately after the flood occurred, armed forces including police, military, and border guards from the provincial to district levels were mobilized to Ky Son to support the people. In the crowd of people pouring into Muong Xen town at that time, in addition to reporters like us, the majority were still soldiers in uniform.

The forces were assigned to specific areas, holding hoes and shovels, their feet submerged in mud and dirt, and they put all their efforts into clearing roads, transporting necessities and helping people clean up their houses day and night, regardless of rain or shine. At that time, our group of 4 people stayed in the flood center of Ky Son for 5 days, witnessing the armed forces and government officials struggling with rocks and soil. Hasty meals, quick sleeps and countless sweats, many people even bled from rolling rocks, tripping, and broken skin and flesh…

About a month later, we learned that many officers of Ky Son district and soldiers of the rescue forces at the Ky Son flood center that year had fallen ill, some had to be hospitalized due to long days of exposure to the sun and rain, and hard work... In times of trouble, they ignored their own health and safety to serve their fellow countrymen and people. Not everyone understands those silent efforts and contributions.

Teamwork skills

For our group of reporters, 5 days of working in the flood zone of Ky Son left many unforgettable impressions. Especially the help and support of the district leaders and armed forces, as well as the Nghe An Newspaper and the department leaders. They promptly provided information and directly supported us in the field, crossing dangerous roads, encouraging us to get photos and videos quickly, vividly and safely.

In addition to the support of the base, working in a context that is both dangerous and difficult in terms of weather conditions, terrain, equipment, as well as connection and communication, to obtain timely and accurate images of the damage as well as the practical rescue and response of the government and people, requires reporters to have the skills to predict, respond to practical situations and have a high spirit of teamwork.

In October 2022, flash floods occurred in Ky Son district, killing 1 person, sweeping away more than 50 houses and causing severe damage. Many government offices and infrastructure in Ky Son were buried by rocks and soil. Early in the morning, Nghe An Newspaper sent a group of 4 reporters from Vinh city to Ky Son district. With only 1 hour to prepare personal belongings and equipment to get on the car, on the journey of more than 230 km, our group bought additional food and assigned specific tasks to each person. Upon arrival, amidst the scene of rocks and soil, and chaotic people, we told ourselves not to panic and to follow the pre-planned plan, divided into groups and found ways to complete the content on time and on schedule to have products for electronic and printed newspapers to send to the editorial office.

In addition to the groups of reporters working directly at the base, the editorial office also arranged a support team to help the "battlefield team" process images. Even in urgent situations, we only took photos and recorded clips with our phones and sent them directly via Zalo and Facebook groups. We read the content over the phone for the "rear team" to type and compile into news articles. Thanks to teamwork, in the 4 days we worked in the Ky Son flood area, more than 30 news articles were produced, completing the task excellently and ensuring safety.

Screenshot 2025-06-19 at 10.11.17

The disaster prevention and control working group of Tuong Duong district, including Mr. Nguyen Huu Hien (first from left) immediately arrived at the scene on the night of September 30, 2024 when they received information about the flash flood. Photo: PV

Journalists working in disaster-hit areas receive support from local authorities and armed forces. Photo: Thanh Cuong