The highlands of Tra My are in disarray after the natural disaster.

After days of devastating floods, Tra Giap commune, the hardest-hit area in the Tra My highlands, remains in disarray. While recovery efforts are still ongoing, the Tra My highlands are preparing to face typhoon number 13.

After being isolated for nearly 10 days, the landslide site on Black Stone Mountain (Ong Van peak, village 2) has been reopened to traffic. Photo: NGUYEN BINH

After nearly 10 days of isolation, the road through the massive landslide site on Da Den Mountain (Ong Van peak, Hamlet 2, Tra Giap Commune), bordering the former Tra Giac Commune, has been temporarily reopened. However, the inter-hamlet road system has only been restored for 4 out of 5 hamlets; Hamlet 3 remains completely isolated due to dozens of large landslides. The roads are buried under rocks and soil, and erosion makes accessing Boa village almost impossible.

Mr. Nguyen Thai Bang, Head of Hamlet 3, Tra Giap Commune, said that the locality has 256 households with 988 people. As soon as the rain stopped, the commune's working groups immediately cut through the forest and crossed streams to reach the affected areas to visit, provide food, instant noodles, and other necessities. Four households, belonging to Nguyen Tien Dung, Nguyen Van Tuan, Nguyen Thanh Tuyn, and Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, had their houses completely destroyed, losing all their belongings; three people were seriously injured and received timely first aid.

Mr. Nguyen Thai Bang, Head of Hamlet 3, Tra Giap Commune, said that the locality has 256 households with 988 people. As soon as the rain stopped, the commune's working groups immediately cut through the forest and crossed streams to reach the affected areas to visit, provide food, instant noodles, and other necessities. Four households, belonging to Nguyen Tien Dung, Nguyen Van Tuan, Nguyen Thanh Tuyn, and Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, had their houses completely destroyed, losing all their belongings; three people were seriously injured and received timely first aid.

The power grid in Tra Giap has been largely restored, but telecommunications remains intermittent, with frequent communication disruptions. Mobile phone signals have to be sought from the border area with Quang Ngai province, and the communes of Tra Tan and Tra Van are very weak and unstable.

In Tra Giap commune, 49 houses were affected, including 6 that completely collapsed, 5 people were seriously injured, and 2 critically ill patients were fortunately rescued. During the days of heavy rain and flooding, the local authorities evacuated 620 people. As of November 5th, many households were still unable to return due to collapsed houses and cracks in the mountain behind their homes posing a potential landslide risk.

The Toong stream area (village 2) suffered very heavy damage, with many houses buried in mud and belongings damaged. The sturdy embankment along the Toong stream was also destroyed by the floodwaters. Not only were houses lost, but a large portion of the rice paddies throughout the commune were covered with mud and rocks, wiping out the cultivated fields, with many plots of land turning into streams.

Responding to Typhoon No. 13

On the afternoon of November 4th, Tra Giap commune held a meeting to implement measures to respond to Typhoon No. 13, which is forecast to bring heavy rain from late night on November 6th to November 8th. According to Hoang Thanh Long, Secretary of the Commune Party Committee, the damage caused by the consecutive floods at the end of October and beginning of November has been severe in the mountainous Tra My area; despite the best efforts of local forces, the recovery process remains challenging, while the upcoming Typhoon No. 13 presents a significant obstacle.

Leaders of Tra Giap commune inspect the landslide site near Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ai's house. Photo: NGUYEN BINH

Mr. Long acknowledged the sense of responsibility and tireless efforts of the local forces during the days of heavy rain and flooding; and emphasized that the "four on-the-spot" principle continues to be key to protecting people's lives and property.

The commune leaders requested that Party organizations, the Fatherland Front, and mass organizations strengthen propaganda efforts, relocate residents from dangerous areas, proactively reinforce houses, and clear drainage ditches; the People's Committee and the Civil Defense Command be on duty 24/7, prepare personnel and equipment, inspect landslide areas, and be ready to evacuate residents; police and military forces will set up checkpoints, warn of dangers, and ensure the safety of residents; heads of agencies and units will closely monitor their assigned areas, proactively direct, and promptly report any emerging situations.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/vung-cao-tra-my-ngon-ngang-sau-thien-tai-3309296.html