Natural disaster haunting upland residents

The residents of Ngam Dang Vai 1 hamlet, Ngam Dang Vai commune, Hoang Su Phi district, are still haunted by the heavy rain that occurred on the night of July 4 and early morning of July 5. That rainstorm claimed the lives of two villagers, Mr. Ly Van Thang (born in 1962) and Mrs. Vang Thi Thuong (born in 1966). The cause was a landslide, burying them under rocks and soil.

Mr. Ly Van Sinh, the son of Mr. Thang, recalls the tragic event. On that day, the heavy rain caused rocks and soil on the mountain to suddenly rush down. He hurriedly carried his two small children out of the house. Before he could return to assist his parents, the landslide had already collapsed onto the house. Despite the villagers' efforts to rescue his parents from the debris, it was in vain.

Mr. Nguyen Van Suu, the Party Secretary of Ngam Dang Vai commune, stated that the heavy rain in July claimed the lives of two residents in the commune. Upon receiving the information, authorities at all levels provided support to help the affected families cope with the aftermath and bury the deceased. Simultaneously, they mobilized funds and construction forces to build a new, safer house for Mr. Sinh's family, as well as provided assistance with crops and livestock to stabilize their production and livelihoods.

Ngam Dang Vai is a mountainous commune prone to flash floods and landslides. Local authorities consistently advocate for and encourage residents to implement measures to ensure the safety of lives and property. However, due to poverty and numerous difficulties in mountainous areas, the relocation of people from hazardous areas faces many challenges. According to recent assessments, there are still four households in dangerous locations, and efforts are being made to encourage and support their move to safer places.

To minimize damages caused by natural disasters, the People's Committee of Can Ty commune, Quan Ba district, has implemented a commitment for over 1,000 households in 8/8 village clusters to proactively undertake measures to prevent natural disasters. This includes securing roofs with nails and steel wires to limit roof displacement during heavy rain and strong winds. In vulnerable areas with steep slopes where households reside, the commune government actively visits residents to encourage them to move to new, safer locations, ensuring the safety of lives and property.

Mr. Hang My Ngoc, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Ty commune, Quan Ba district, stated that, proactively implementing measures to prevent natural disasters, the commune's authorities guide households living in areas at high risk of landslides, near rivers, streams, etc., to move to safe locations, increase vigilance, and absolutely avoid complacency. During prolonged heavy rains, the commune's authorities direct warnings to villages, advising residents not to travel through dangerous areas or areas at high risk of landslides. They are also prepared with the "4 on the spot" plan to respond promptly to damages caused by natural disasters.

According to the statistics of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue in Ha Giang province, natural disasters in the province have resulted in 4 deaths, 2 injuries, and the collapse of 758 houses from the beginning of the year until now. Additionally, 347 hectares of rice, over 5,600 hectares of corn, and 51 hectares of forestry have been damaged or broken, affecting various public facilities such as transportation, schools, and medical stations. The total damage caused by natural disasters in Ha Giang province from the beginning of the year until now amounts to 511 billion VND.

Mr. Le Anh Dung, the Director of the Provincial Subdepartment of Irrigation in Ha Giang, mentioned that to minimize the damage caused by natural disasters, especially before the flood season, the relevant authorities in Ha Giang province conduct inspections and reinforce structures such as dams and reservoirs. They actively monitor and urge relevant sectors and localities to implement disaster prevention plans as directed by the Provincial People's Committee. Furthermore, they organize awareness campaigns for residents on disaster prevention and response and conduct assessments of households in high-risk areas with a high likelihood of landslides, relocating them to ensure safety. Additionally, they effectively deploy and use hazard warning maps for landslide-prone areas.