Overcoming flood to save people

Soaking in floodwater for a day and a night, Mr. Nguyen Hoan's family of 3 adults and 1 child were almost exhausted. "When the water rose quickly, my family could only climb up the crossbar, then hold on to the roof. The water reached our chins, everyone was cold and hungry, the phone was also submerged in water so we could not contact the outside, we could only shout for help. When we heard Hoa's voice coming from outside, my family was very happy," Mr. Hoan said emotionally.

Mrs. Tran Thi Muong, Mr. Hoan’s wife, recalled: “At that time, I almost fainted. I only remember someone holding me and telling me to lie still or the boat would capsize. When I woke up, people rubbed oil on me, massaged my hands, and fed me porridge.”

Mr. Ho Van Hoa (right) happily accepted thanks from Mr. Nguyen Hoan and Mrs. Tran Thi Muong's family.

On November 19, Mr. Pham Xuan Hue's house, about 1 km from Mr. Hoa's house, was also submerged in water. Receiving the news from the neighbors, Mr. Hoa quickly found a way to rescue them and bring them to a safe, dry place. Mr. Hue said: "There are 8 people in my family. The whole family was submerged in water and isolated from the surrounding houses. Luckily, Hoa was able to save them in time, otherwise..."

During the flood, Mr. Hoa saved 17 people in the village, he himself could not imagine that he could do this.

We met Mr. Tran Van Tuan, Party Cell Secretary, Head of Phu Khanh Village (Tay Hoa Commune), more than 10 days after the historic flood passed. He recalled the terrifying moments of the recent flood: pouring rain, muddy floodwaters rushing in all directions, steel fences, roofs, treetops were only vaguely visible on the water surface. He and a rescue team of 6 people got on a canoe and rushed into the raging water, carrying out the order from their hearts.

Under the direction of the Chairman of the People's Committee of Le Van Muoi Commune, the rescue team prioritized saving the elderly, children, and households in deep flooded areas. In the rescue team, Mr. Tuan and an officer directly jumped into the water, carrying ropes, life jackets, and life buoys to approach each house to rescue people.

According to Mr. Tuan, there were cases where people refused to evacuate even though the water was almost up to the ceiling. He and his teammates were forced to do so. Like the case of Mrs. Huynh Thi Lieu (75 years old, in Phu Khanh village), the water was so deep that it reached the ceiling and she was exhausted from the cold. The rescue team had to "order" a timely evacuation. After the flood, her daughter came to him to thank him emotionally: "If she hadn't listened to the rescue team that day, my mother would not have survived."

Mr. Tuan carried a baby on his shoulder to safety.

Not only rescuing in Phu Khanh, Mr. Tuan's rescue team also moved to Phu My village (Hoa Thinh commune) - a lower area. Here, the rescue team brought 18 people out of the danger zone and coordinated with 5 inflatable boats of the volunteer force from Gia Lai province to evacuate 30 more people.

Amidst the countless losses in the recent historic flood, the image of a village secretary wading through water to save people like Mr. Tran Van Tuan is a support, a warm light of love, responsibility and courage.

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