Faced with an unprecedented flood disaster, what measures did the rescue team have to use, and how stressful was the journey to bring 127 people, including children and the elderly, to safety?
Binh Duong: Emergency rescue of 127 people in deep flooded area after historic heavy rain
Early in the morning of October 23, a heavy rain lasting more than two hours turned many areas in Ben Cat and Bau Bang (Binh Duong province) into deep flood areas. The emergency situation required the quick intervention of rescue forces, specifically the Ho Chi Minh City Police, who promptly and successfully rescued 127 people from danger.
Sudden natural disasters and terrible devastation
Early the same morning, torrential rains continued to pour down, causing the water level in canals and low-lying areas to rise suddenly, submerging many residential areas in Ben Cat, Hiep An and Bau Bang wards. The flood level in some places exceeded 2 meters, combined with strong currents, forcing people into isolation, forcing them to urgently call for help.
A resident of Ben Cat ward was shocked and said: "The water started rising at midnight, and by dawn it had flooded into our houses so quickly. We didn't have time to move our belongings, and many motorbikes and properties were severely damaged." The suddenness and speed of the flood caused significant material damage and directly threatened people's lives.
Quick response of the Rescue Police force
The Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department (PC07) of Ho Chi Minh City Police received the report at 2:35 am. Immediately, the Rescue Police Team of Area 31 was mobilized. More than 20 soldiers with specialized equipment quickly moved to flood hotspots in Ben Cat, Hiep An, Bau Bang to deploy rescue work.
The soldiers, regardless of difficulties and dangers, infiltrated each isolated residential area. In Cau Doi quarter, Ben Cat ward, 7 trapped residents were brought to safety. Notably, in the area near Mai Thanh Wood Company Ltd. and neighboring households, the force rescued more than 100 people, including children and the elderly, the most vulnerable in the disaster. In total, this emergency rescue operation brought 127 residents out of the danger zone, demonstrating the professionalism and high sense of responsibility of the rescue force.
Causes of deep flooding and warning of recurrence
Ben Cat ward leaders said that this localized flooding was the result of prolonged heavy rain, causing an overload of water. Tu Van irrigation lake overflowed, and the drainage system could not handle the huge amount of rain, leading to deep flooding in low-lying areas.
According to data from the Southern Hydrometeorological Station, the amount of rain measured in Ben Cat - Bau Bang last night reached more than 110 mm. Notably, the flooding coincided with the high tide of the Saigon River (flowing through Ben Cat), significantly slowing down the natural drainage capacity. The Ben Cat area, especially Cau Quan, which is considered a low-lying area, is often heavily affected every time heavy rains combine with rising river water.
Consequences and remedial work
Water has now receded in most heavily flooded areas. However, some riverside roads and low-lying areas remain partially flooded, making travel difficult.
Ben Cat Ward People's Committee and relevant agencies are actively conducting statistics on the extent of property damage to residents. At the same time, the authorities are assisting residents in cleaning, general cleaning and disinfecting flooded boarding houses to ensure a clean living environment.
In particular, local authorities have issued an urgent warning about the risk of flooding again in the next few days. It is forecast that high tides will continue to rise, combined with the possibility of other heavy rains that could cause flooding to return. Authorities have also increased support for students and residents in flooded areas, ensuring maximum safety for the community.
Lessons from this flood show the need to upgrade drainage infrastructure and have more effective flood prevention measures for low-lying areas like Ben Cat, to cope with complex weather developments in the future.
Tearing up the last farewell words of the female principal who was swept away by the flood in Thai Nguyen: "It's very cold!" The long row of white wreaths and choked tears in the moment of farewell was the last farewell for Ms. Ly Thi Thanh Xuan, the female principal who unfortunately died in the recent flood in Thai Nguyen.