Difficulties pile up in isolated areas after historic floods

Along with many communes in the western region of Nghe An province, My Ly and Nhon Mai communes were the localities that suffered heavy damage in the recent flood. This was also an area that was isolated for a long time.

A tree trunk is still stranded on the bridge over Lam River connecting National Highway 7 with Luong Minh Commune (old). Photo: Xuan Tien/VNA

Nhon Mai commune alone, after more than 10 days since the flood passed, is the only commune left in Nghe An province that is still completely isolated due to landslides on Highway 16, landslides on mountain rocks, landslides on the slopes, and floods that have swept away the road. Up to now, although the authorities and rescue teams have reached the area to support the people, in the short and long term, the people in these areas are facing countless difficulties.

Through the flood

After more than 10 days of raging floods, causing serious damage, Nhon Mai commune is still completely isolated because Highway 16 has been severely eroded. With an effort to understand the actual situation and the extent of damage on this vital traffic route that has isolated Nhon Mai commune, we have traveled through the flood on Highway 16 connecting My Ly commune - Nhon Mai, about 40km long. This journey must be traveled by motorbike, many sections must be traveled on foot through mud, swamps, clinging to rocks along the banks of the Nam Non river with its turbulent and turbid flow, very difficult and dangerous.

National Highway 16, from My Ly Commune to Nhon Mai Commune, is adjacent to and runs parallel to the Nam Non River, passing through peaceful villages, imbued with the ancient culture of the Thai people. When the flood on the Nam Non River rose high and flowed strongly, it swept away and wiped out many once bustling and prosperous residential areas along the route, causing a scene of desolation and desolation that is difficult to restore.

Rising floodwaters carrying large logs destroyed the railing system of the bridge over the Nam Mo River. Photo: Xuan Tien/VNA

During the journey, we approached many areas where many houses and buildings were destroyed by the flood and swept away into the Nam Non River. The bustling, prosperous residential area with many spacious houses and bustling trading and business activities along Highway 16 along the Nam Non River was completely wiped out. The only remaining traces were rows of house foundations among the ruins. Pillars and iron gates were buried deep in a layer of mud more than 2m thick, along with countless tree trunks. Motorbikes and belongings were crushed and distorted by the flood and swept away from upstream, lying scattered on the road.

On the way, we came across small tents that people had set up along the roadside to sleep through the day. People were sitting in their makeshift tents, their eyes staring blankly at the rubble. Some people were trying to search and dig out from the mud any items that could still be used. Many houses were severely damaged, perched precariously on the banks of the Nam Non River. The situation of stream bank erosion was complicated, seriously threatening the safety of many houses, especially in the residential area of Xop Tu village (My Ly commune).

National Highway 16, from Xieng Tam village to Xop Tu village intersection, is nearly 10km long. The flood caused landslides, erosion, and completely deformed many sections. Many other sections were covered with soil, sand, and mud from 1.2m to nearly 2m thick. The section from Xop Tu to Hoa Ly village through Nhon Mai commune is always in a state of rocks, landslides, and forest trees falling from the slopes, which is very dangerous for people and vehicles passing by.

Countless tree trunks and logs lie on the hard bridge on Highway 6 to My Ly commune. Photo: Xuan Tien/VNA

Nearly 30km from Nhon Mai commune, a serious subsidence appeared, causing cracks and breaks in the road surface with a collapsed area of thousands of cubic meters of soil sliding down about 30cm from the road surface. Nearby was a serious landslide where soil, rocks, and forest trees collapsed and covered most of the road surface over a distance of more than 20m. Many landslides of varying degrees have occurred and pose a potential risk of further landslides due to weak soil structure and stratigraphy, and the water retention capacity on the cliff has reached saturation.

Another "bottleneck" is an extremely serious landslide nearly 30km from Nhon Mai commune. Many very large rocks weighing tens of tons, along with soil and forest trees, fell from a high cliff, blocking Highway 16 for nearly 20m. To get through this landslide, we had to wade through soft soil, weaving our way through the gaps and spaces between the rocks lying haphazardly under the steep cliff.

Nam Non Bridge (Km 350+384) across Nam Non River was also eroded by flood at the bridge abutment, the guardrail system was severely damaged. The most serious damage to National Highway 16 occurred at the curve and slope after Hoa Ly Kindergarten (My Ly Commune). About 30m of the road was washed away, eroded to a depth of nearly 4m, exposing underground sewers. The entire guardrail system and traffic signs were damaged, washed away, and buried. Large boulders and large tree trunks blocking both ends of the road were swept away by flood.

The flood brought a large number of tree trunks and branches from upstream, lying scattered on National Highway 7 in Cua Rao village (Tuong Duong commune, Nghe An province). Photo: Xuan Tien/VNA

About 300m from this landslide, another damaged area appeared with a larger scale and level. Hundreds of cubic meters of soil and rock from the roadbed, road surface and protective railing system were swept away by the flood, creating a wall nearly 10m deep and tens of meters long. Next to this point where the road was swept away by the flood was a landslide with thousands of cubic meters of soil, rocks and fallen trees, covering the entire length of nearly 30m on the road surface.

Difficulties piled up

Nhon Mai is a border commune with 21 villages, more than 1,430 households with nearly 6,870 people, of which 760 are poor households and 326 are near-poor households. The commune's population is mainly Mong, Thai and Kho Mu ethnic groups. In the recent flood, nearly 280 houses were affected, of which 69 were completely swept away, 20 were severely damaged and more than 140 needed to be urgently evacuated, nearly 50 other houses are in areas at high risk of landslides. Many essential works such as community houses, kindergartens and primary schools were severely damaged. The transportation, irrigation, power grid and telecommunications systems were also seriously damaged.

Many tree trunks with a circumference of two people hugging each other are still lying along Highway 7 and have not been moved or processed. Photo: Xuan Tien/VNA

Mr. Le Hong Thai, Chairman of Nhon Mai Commune People's Committee, said that when the river route was not yet usable for small boats to go out to receive relief goods, on July 24, a rescue helicopter mobilized by the Ministry of National Defense transferred some goods and necessities to the people. Currently, the commune is still isolated, only the commune cadres, Border Guards and Commune Police can approach the people to bring food and essential food to relieve urgent hunger, and bring support gifts from volunteer groups. However, the forces have to wade through mud and streams for 5-8 hours on foot. Mobilizing human resources and machinery to clear National Highway 16 to Nhon Mai will take a lot of time. Currently, the support of food, food and necessities for Nhon Mai commune is only carried out by waterway up and down the Nam Non River from My Ly commune and Tri Le commune.

According to Mr. Vi Van Tinh, Huoi Xa village, Nhon Mai commune, the family's stilt house was swept away by the flood along with all the furniture and belongings, now only the bare stone foundation remains in the mud. After the flood, the family had to stay at relatives' house, eat thin porridge, go into the forest to dig bamboo shoots, and look for vegetables and fruits. Luckily, the Border Guards were able to enter the village in time, bringing rice, instant noodles, salt, and clean water for the people.

Countless tree trunks, large logs and rubbish blocking the row of houses affect the lives, activities and travel of many families. Photo: Xuan Tien/VNA

The flood left behind a scene of devastation and desolation in the villages and affected areas, with thousands of people left with nothing and no homes to return to. According to statistics from the recent flood, Nghe An province had thousands of houses completely washed away and partially damaged. In My Ly commune alone, nearly 220 houses were completely washed away, hundreds of other houses, schools, Border Guard and Police headquarters were buried and damaged.

Ms. Luong Thi Lanh, Xieng Tam village, My Ly commune, Nghe An province sadly shared that the flood came so quickly that her family had no time to react and everything was swept away. The solidly built house and many belongings were swept away by the flood water. Now, eating, sleeping, and bathing are also difficult. Luckily, she had her aunt's house to stay temporarily for more than 10 days. But now her house has collapsed so it is not safe.

Mr. Lo Van Hoan, Xieng Tam village, My Ly commune, Nghe An province shared that people in the village are now facing many difficulties. My house and many other families' houses have been washed away, it is very difficult to rebuild. I hope that superiors, benefactors, and volunteer groups will support my family to overcome this difficult period.

Many grocery stores and service businesses are still closed due to the amount of wood and tree trunks covering their entrances. Photo: Xuan Tien/VNA

Up to now, the border guards and local authorities are actively supporting people to overcome the consequences. The necessities and sentiments of compatriots nationwide to the isolated flood victims are very necessary. However, to stabilize their lives in the long term, more fundamental policies are needed.

Major Phan Duc Tam, Political Commissar of My Ly Border Guard Station (Nghe An Provincial Border Guard) shared that we have been propagating to localities, arranging accommodation for people; and at the same time calling on volunteer groups inside and outside the province to join hands to help people in affected areas.

Mr. Luong Van Bay, Chairman of the People's Committee of My Ly Commune, Nghe An Province, said: Currently, for isolated villages, the government has reached out and provided food, groceries, and necessities to the people. In the coming time, the government hopes that higher-level agencies will provide more support for necessities and other items.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202508/kho-khan-chong-chat-o-vung-co-lap-sau-lu-lich-su-8c44960/