The helicopter took off at 7:15 AM today from Gia Lam Airport, according to the National Military Command. It is scheduled to land at several locations, including Na Son Stadium and the Hang Lia Village football field in Tia Dinh Commune.
The helicopter will then drop aid to isolated villages in five communes: Tia Dinh, Xa Dung, Muong Luan, Na Son, and Phinh Giang in Dien Bien province.
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The army deployed a helicopter to deliver supplies to the isolated areas. Photo: Hoang Phong |
The army deployed a helicopter to deliver supplies to the isolated areas. Photo: Hoang Phong
Heavy rain caused by a low-pressure trough has led to landslides and flash floods in Dien Bien, Son La, and Lao Cai provinces. In Dien Bien, the communes of Tia Dinh, Xa Dung, Muong Luan, Na Son, and Phinh Giang have been severely impacted, with homes and roads destroyed and many villages cut off. As of 6 PM on 1/8, the Dien Bien Province Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue reported 9 deaths and one person missing.
In Son La province, 8 people were trapped on a sandbank along the Ma River in Anh Trung Hamlet, Muong Hung Commune, due to rising water levels reaching almost 3 meters. The Ministry of Defense deployed helicopter EC-8624 from the 18th Squadron at 3:54 PM on 1/8, successfully rescuing all 8 people by 5:30 PM.
The army has also mobilized 753 officers, soldiers, and militia members, along with 158 pieces of equipment and vehicles to assist Dien Bien and Son La provinces in search and rescue efforts and post-flood recovery.
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Technical staff and pilots discuss before the flight. Photo: Hoang Phong |
Technical staff and pilots discuss before the flight. Photo: Hoang Phong
At a meeting in Dien Bien on the afternoon of 1/8, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha directed the Ministry of Defense and provincial authorities to mobilize all available resources and personnel to search for the missing, treat the injured, and evacuate people from dangerous areas.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the urgency of the search and rescue operations to maximize the chances of saving lives. He also stressed the need for rapid assessment of injuries and prompt medical attention for the injured, including deploying medical helicopters if necessary.
Authorities are working to restore access to cut-off communities and provide clean water and essential supplies to affected residents. "Whatever needs to be done first should be done first, and to do that, we must understand what people need," he said.
Son Ha
