Shortly after 8:00 on 17/7, Nguyen Thanh Hai, 35, from Chit village, Muong Than commune, was swept from his home along with his wife and two children (8 and 11 years old) by a flash flood. Hai drifted one kilometer to Nam Vai stream before clinging to a tree branch.

"I was swept away by the floodwaters; looking back, I could only see water nearly reaching the village rooftops," the 35-year-old recounted.

In the same village, Lo Van Chai, 33, and his family—parents, wife, and child—were also swept away. Chai drifted to the same tree branch Hai was clinging to. The men's bodies were bleeding from impacts with branches and debris.

"But the physical pain was nothing compared to the worry of not knowing the whereabouts of my parents, wife, and child," Chai stated.

Lai Chau Provincial Police rescuing people trapped in floods in Muong Than commune on the morning of 17/7. *Source: Lai Chau Provincial Police*

Around 9:00, Muong Than Commune Police received the report and mobilized personnel to the scene to rescue Chai and Hai. The challenging terrain, with water rising 3-4 meters, blocked all routes. The rescue team deployed lifebuoys and swam into the strong current to connect a cable, pulling the victims to safety on shore.

By 11:15, the task force brought the two men to safety.

Nguyen Thanh Hai and Lo Van Chai, residing in Chit village, Muong Than commune, rescued by police on the morning of 17/7. *Photo: Lai Chau Provincial Police*

Doctor Dinh Chi Ba, Head of Surgery at Lai Chau Provincial General Hospital, stated the patients were admitted with multiple impact injuries. Their vital signs were stable, and they were cleared for discharge that same afternoon.

By the afternoon of 17/7, Chai contacted his family and learned they had escaped unharmed. However, Hai's wife and two children remained missing. "I pray my wife and children are safe, and our family can reunite soon," Hai expressed.

According to Lai Chau Provincial Police, flash floods swept through Chit, Nam Sang, Sap Ngua, and Noong Thang villages in Muong Than commune since early morning on 17/7. Fire and Rescue Police, alongside commune police, rescued 10 trapped individuals.

Heavy rains triggered flash floods, carrying mud and boulders, severely disrupting traffic. National Highway 32, particularly the section through Chit village, was submerged, isolating communities. Landslides blocked the road at Km 357, 358, and 359 in Pac Ta and Muong Than communes. Additionally, a section of National Highway 279 at Km 167+450 in Muong Kim commune was severed by earth collapsing from an uphill slope.

Authorities advise residents to monitor weather developments, avoid crossing submerged areas, and comply with government coordination to minimize damage.

Nga Thanh - Quynh Nguyen