Nguyen Minh Duc, Deputy Director of the Chua Huong Tourism Cooperative, confirmed that 18 motorboats and canoes were dispatched to assist flood-affected localities, including Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh, and Lang Son, on the morning of 8/10. The first three boats departed at dawn, carrying life jackets and essential supplies to aid residents in the Thai Nguyen flood zone.

Some boats were loaded onto trucks and transported to the flood-stricken areas for relief. Photo: NVCC

Essential goods and supplies were delivered to Thai Nguyen to aid residents. Photo: NVCC

Life jackets for relief efforts. Photo: NVCC

Motorboats gathered, preparing for deployment to rescue flood victims. Photo: NVCC

The cooperative's motorboats and canoes typically provide rescue services on Yen Stream. Following the mobilization, approximately 60 members of the cooperative, who are professional hand-rowing boat drivers, also volunteered to participate in the relief efforts. However, the unit declined their participation because these individuals had not received professional flood rescue training. Furthermore, using hand-rowing boats poses a high risk in conditions of heavy floods and strong currents.

"The members' spirit to help is very high, but to ensure safety, I could not let them go", Mr. Duc stated. After Typhoon Matmo, the unit plans to organize flood rescue training for members interested in participating. Upon completing the training, qualified members will be mobilized to assist in future disaster relief and flood recovery operations.

A representative from Huong Son Commune People's Committee announced that the locality has launched the "Supporting the North - A Call for Mutual Aid" campaign, mobilizing vehicles and rescue forces to assist severely inundated areas. The commune will deploy experienced Chua Huong boat drivers who are familiar with river conditions and complex terrain to participate in rescue operations, evacuate residents to safety, and transport essential supplies as needed.

In 2024, after Typhoon Yagi, the team previously deployed canoes and motorboats to support Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, and Phu Tho. Following the current relief efforts, the cooperative plans to establish a permanent rescue team, trained in emergency response skills, ready for deployment during natural disasters.

The flood situation in Thai Nguyen remains critical. The water level of the Cau River at the Gia Bay station reached 29,9 meters this morning, which is 1,09 meters higher than the historical peak during Typhoon Yagi in 2024, submerging thousands of households. Numerous central wards, including Nam Cuong, Phan Dinh Phung, Gia Sang, Tich Luong, Linh Son, and Quan Trieu, are inundated by over one meter of water. Many areas are cut off and isolated, complicating access for rescue and relief operations.

Preliminary statistics as of the morning of 8/10 show that Thai Nguyen has reported four fatalities, two missing persons, and two injured. Over 5,400 homes are isolated, with 490 homes already evacuated.

Floodwaters submerged many homes in Thai Nguyen on 7/10. Photo: NVCC

Two consecutive typhoons, Bualoi and Matmo, made landfall, causing prolonged heavy rainfall in the North. This has resulted in 59 dyke incidents, over 15,700 flooded homes, and thousands of hectares of crops damaged. According to meteorological forecasts, over the next 12 hours, the water level of the Cau River at Dap Cau will continue to rise, while at Gia Bay, it will decrease slowly but remain high. The Thuong River at Phu Lang Thuong may surpass its 1986 peak; the Trung River is expected to peak this afternoon or evening before gradually receding, but still above historical levels.

Over the next 12-24 hours, flood levels on the Cau and Thuong Rivers will remain high. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warns that widespread flooding will persist for the next 3-4 days in Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh, Lang Son, and Cao Bang. Low-lying areas and urban riverbanks face a risk of deep inundation, riverbank erosion, flash floods, and landslides on slopes.

Tu Nguyen