Soldiers in the heart of the flood, among the people

From July 23 to 25, floods rose suddenly, sweeping away many houses, completely cutting off highland communes such as Muong Xen, My Ly, Nhon Mai, Tuong Duong, and Con Cuong. National Highway 7A - the vital route connecting the lowlands with the highlands - was flooded and eroded at dozens of locations. Many residential areas were submerged in floodwaters, hundreds of households were isolated, without electricity, and lacking water, food, and medicine.

Residential area in western Nghe An taken from a rescue helicopter. Photo: ANH TAN

Faced with the complicated situation, the Military Region 4 Command issued an emergency marching order. Nearly 10,000 officers and soldiers along with more than 100 specialized mobile vehicles immediately crossed forests, waded through streams, and spent the night overcoming floods to reach key points, evacuate people from dangerous areas, evacuate property, treat the sick, set up temporary shelters and provide on-site relief.

In Anh Son commune, on July 24, Captain Nguyen Van Hoang (Nghe An Province Military Command) drove a Kamaz to take pregnant woman Tran Thi Tra through the flood to the hospital to safely give birth. Before that, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Canh Loan drove a motorboat to take a dialysis patient through the raging water to Con Cuong Hospital for emergency treatment.

Mr. Tran Duc Minh, father of the pregnant woman Tran Thi Tra, burst into joy when welcoming his grandson: "He is a boy, weighing 2.3 kg. Thanks to Uncle Ho's soldiers, my daughter is "safe and sound". Without your help and support, my daughter doesn't know what to do! The people of the flooded area are grateful to Uncle Ho's soldiers!"

Patient Nguyen Van Cuong was urgently transferred through floodwaters to Con Cuong hospital.

Previously, Lieutenant Colonel, Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Canh Loan, a boat driver of Nghe An Military Command, also drove a canoe through the strong flood currents to bring patient Nguyen Van Cuong in Anh Son commune to Con Cuong hospital in time for dialysis treatment in critical condition...

The role of the Military Region 4 in natural disasters does not stop at quick response, but also demonstrates solidarity and companionship with the difficulties and hardships of the people. They not only help people through the flood, but also relocate assets, build temporary shelters, distribute food, medicine, and clean the environment, and prevent epidemics after the flood for the people.

When the road was paralyzed, the Ministry of National Defense immediately mobilized two Mi-171 helicopters of the Northern Helicopter Company (Army Corps 18) and Regiment 916, Division 371 (Air Defense - Air Force) to conduct 10 flights, transporting more than 28 tons of emergency relief goods to isolated areas such as Muong Xen, Muong Tip, Nhon Mai, and Bac Ly.

Relief goods are transported to people in the flood-hit area of Con Cuong.

Carrying out the flight mission in dangerous weather conditions, limited visibility, and difficult terrain, the flight crews flexibly chose to drop cargo in the air or land in open fields or village stadiums. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Phu, Political Director of the Northern Helicopter Company, said: “We did not have time to conduct a survey in advance. All decisions were based on the experience, coordination, and determination of the entire flight crew. Relief must be fast, accurate, and safe.”

The timely presence and decisive actions of the flight crews were like "birds of hope", not only providing material supplies but also spreading faith and confidence when people were almost in despair.

Flood victims burst into tears when meeting leaders of Military Region 4 Command and helicopters transporting relief goods to the flood center. Photo: ANH TAN

The battle of people's hearts in the flood

When the floodwaters had just receded, thousands of officers and soldiers of Military Region 4 continued on the second front: clearing mud, cleaning the environment, rebuilding houses, and stabilizing people's lives. In the center of Con Cuong commune - where the floodwaters were up to 7m deep - Division 324 coordinated with Regiment 764 and local militia to divide into small groups and go to each alley to help people clean up. Ms. Nguyen Thi Sau (Ward 2, Con Cuong) choked up: "If it weren't for the soldiers, I wouldn't know where to start. My husband died, our house was flooded, and my children and I couldn't manage on our own."

In My Ly commune, where more than 160 households lost their homes, the border guards and militia urgently set up tents, provided medical support, and distributed medicines. After the medical facility was swept away by the flood, the head of My Ly commune health station, Dr. Kha Hong Ky, temporarily stayed at the commune People's Committee to care for and guide people in disease prevention and control. My Ly border guards sent medical staff to support around the clock...

Food soaked in muddy water.

Wherever the water recedes, help the people in the flooded areas.

In Chau Khe commune, more than 100 officers and soldiers spent 4 days wading through mud and floodwaters to bring relief goods to Yen Hoa village - where 600 people are still isolated. The teams used motorboats to cross the Lam River, delivering boxes of instant noodles and bottles of water. Village chief Quang Thi Tuoi tearfully said: "Without the army, we don't know who to rely on. The army is the support of the villagers in times of trouble."

At the same time, engineers, militia, technical staff and construction workers were mobilized to clear National Highway 7A - a vital route buried by more than 24 landslides and deep flooding. Officers and soldiers worked day and night, operating motorbikes, hoes and shovels, trying to clear the route between the flood-prone area and the lowlands.

It is a vivid expression of the "4 on-site" motto: On-site command, on-site forces, on-site means, on-site logistics - operated effectively, with discipline and the highest determination.

The value of Uncle Ho's Army is written in action.

Not only in this flood, but in any natural disaster or catastrophe throughout the country, the image of the soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army is always closely connected to the people. They are a force that never comes later, never retreats, and does not demand conditions. They have only one goal: to save the people, protect the people, and stabilize the people.

As Lieutenant General Ha Tho Binh, Commander of Military Region 4, affirmed at the rescue scene: “No one will be left behind. No matter how difficult it is, the army must be the first to enter and the last to withdraw.”

Leaders of Military Region 4 Command promptly came to encourage and share the losses of people in flood-affected areas.

The lesson from today's natural disaster is not only the readiness to fight against the flood, but more deeply, the close bond between the army and the people - the people's heart and mind battle in peacetime - where every house, every road, every forest... is a fortress, a post to keep faith in the Party and the Army.

And in the midst of the flood, in the midst of the mud up to the door, the people of the flooded area of Nghe An were moved: "With the army coming, there is faith and hope". And in each officer and soldier, in their hearts: "As long as the people exist, we exist!"

Notes by KHANH TRINH

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/luc-luong-vu-trang-quan-khu-4-con-dan-la-con-minh-838679