The helicopter, SAR-03, piloted by Major Vuong Dinh Long, Squadron 1 Commander, and Colonel Nguyen Ba Duc, Deputy Commander of the 916th Regiment, took off at 7:55 a.m. from Hoa Lac Airport (Hanoi) to Vinh Airport. There, the crew made three trips transporting approximately two tons of goods per trip, including rescue equipment, dried food, instant noodles, blankets, and life jackets.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Viet Phong, Deputy Political Commissar of the 916th Regiment, the helicopter reached Muong Xen commune on the same morning to deliver aid. Other isolated areas continued to be identified for timely support.
Due to Typhoon Wipha, from the night of 21/7 to 22/7, Nghe An experienced heavy rain, leading to flash floods and landslides in many areas. By the afternoon of 23/7, the floods had caused three deaths, one person missing, four injuries, and flooded over 3,700 houses, with hundreds of roofs blown off.
By the morning of 24/7, the rain had subsided in the mountainous region of Nghe An, but water from the upstream Ca River in Upper Laos continued to flow in. Hydropower plants continued to discharge water, causing flooding in Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, and Anh Son communes, cutting off National Highway 7 and paralyzing traffic.
 |
A helicopter of the 916th Regiment approaches the first point to transport essential goods on the morning of 24/7. Photo: 916th Regiment |
The General Staff previously instructed Military Region 4 to direct the provincial Military Commands to proactively mobilize forces and resources to help people evacuate to safety, and to ensure the provision of supplies and necessities to people in key areas affected by flash floods, landslides, and deep flooding.
The Air Defense - Air Force and the 18th Corps were tasked with checking and reviewing plans, organizing forces and resources, and preparing for aerial search and rescue operations upon orders from the Ministry of National Defense. The Border Guard directed the Nghe An Provincial Border Guard Command to mobilize forces and resources to help people overcome the consequences of the rain and floods.
Son Ha
