Van Ban commune has stabilized the lives of its people.

Nearly a month has passed since Typhoon No. 10 passed, but the village of Lang Chut in Van Ban commune, Lao Cai province, still bears the indelible marks of the natural disaster. More than 20 stilt houses, along with fields and gardens, remain submerged in thick layers of sand. Local authorities are urgently working to mitigate the consequences and help residents quickly restore their lives to normalcy.

Temporary bridge "connects hope"

These days, the people of Chut Village are excited as the temporary bridge across Chut Stream is nearing completion. This temporary bridge was constructed by the commune authorities using machinery and local manpower, aiming to help 35 households living on the other side of the stream travel more conveniently and safely.

Previously, due to the impact of floods, three bridges connecting the two sides of the stream were swept away by the water, making travel extremely difficult and posing a potential safety risk, especially for students and the elderly.

Working together to build a temporary bridge across the stream.

Mr. Ha Van Van, a resident of Lang Chut village, shared: "The group of households on the other side of the stream consists of 35 families with over 100 people, including more than 20 students who have to cross the stream every day to get to school. Seeing how hard the villagers were struggling, we mobilized each other to contribute our labor and effort to build the bridge. Luckily, we had an excavator to help with the bridge piling and pile driving. Although it's only a temporary bridge, we are very happy because we will no longer have to wade through the stream. Travel for villagers and students in the village will be more convenient and safer. However, because it's a temporary bridge, we will always have to be vigilant and avoid crossing it during heavy rain to prevent accidents."

The remnants of Typhoon No. 10 caused prolonged heavy rain, diverting floodwaters and sweeping approximately 100,000 cubic meters of sand and gravel into Lang Chut village. One house was completely swept away, and 28 others suffered up to 50% damage. Many stilt houses had their entire first floors buried; fish ponds, vegetable gardens, and rice fields were all buried under a layer of rocks and gravel 2-3 meters thick.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Truong, a villager, tearfully recounted: "My house was swept away, along with all my belongings and money. Pots, pans, blankets, and bedding under the stilt house were also carried away by the floodwaters."

The fields of Lang Chut village were buried under sand and gravel.

Not only did they suffer property losses, but the lives of the people were completely disrupted. Many households had to be urgently relocated to ensure their safety.

The government is actively supporting people in stabilizing their lives.

Immediately after the storm subsided, the Van Ban commune authorities quickly organized the relocation of residents to safe locations at the village cultural center; at the same time, they assisted in setting up temporary shelters and provided essential supplies to the people.

Searching for buried property.

Militia forces, community organizations, and people from neighboring villages were mobilized to help residents remove sand and gravel from beneath house pillars, preventing decay caused by prolonged submersion in water. In the long term, the commune aims to clear the stream to prevent flooding in residential areas, while also considering building embankments, constructing bridges across the stream, and replanning the residential area to make it safer.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Ban commune, said: "The commune has proposed to the province to rebuild the bridge and construct a 700-meter-long embankment to ensure safety during future floods. At the same time, the commune has mobilized forces, equipment, excavators, and various organizations to support the 29 households in stabilizing their lives as soon as possible."

To preserve the traditional stilt houses, the villagers help each other dig holes at the base of the pillars and clear channels to prevent water from accumulating and damaging them.

However, due to the massive amount of sand and gravel that buried the houses, many were severely damaged, making on-site restoration impossible. The commune authorities, in coordination with relevant agencies, assessed the current situation and agreed on a plan to relocate and resettle residents to a safe area.

Regarding the handling of the sand and gravel buried in the village, the People's Committee of Van Ban commune reported to and sought the opinion of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lao Cai province, proposing the collection and clearing of the stream. With the Department's approval, the commune developed a plan for transporting and stockpiling the sand at designated points, and also established an inspection and monitoring team, installing cameras to monitor 24/7.

The People's Committee of Van Ban commune mobilized local forces and excavators to collect sand and gravel.

Sand and gravel that covered roads and houses are being cleared away.

The sand that will be stockpiled will later be sold at a public auction, with all proceeds going to the State budget. However, because Lang Chut village is located deep within a residential area with narrow access roads, the local authorities are carefully considering the transportation arrangements to avoid traffic safety hazards during the process.

Despite the hardships, the people of Chut Village remain undeterred. They work together to clean and repair their homes. The temporary bridges, though not yet sturdy, are a testament to the unwavering spirit of the people in this highland region. With the support of the government at all levels and the resilience of the people, it is believed that Chut Village will soon be revived, and the lives of its residents will become increasingly stable and prosperous.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/xa-van-ban-on-dinh-cuoc-song-cho-nguoi-dan-post885475.html