During the final days of July, Son La Province was hit by prolonged heavy rainfall triggered by Storm Wipha, causing flash floods and severe flooding in numerous border communes, particularly those along the Ma River.
Earlier, prolonged heavy rain caused a sudden massive flood that swept through communes along the Ma River. Electricity was cut off, communications were disrupted, and transport was paralysed.
Flash floods and landslides killed five people and one person went missing. The disasters also destroyed 31 houses and forced the evacuation of 72 households.
Over 130 hectares of crops were buried under the flood, and 2,566 poultry and 90 livestock were swept away. Many residents’ boats sank, and eight suspension bridges were severely damaged.
Immediately during the night, Son La’s public security force mobilised nearly 400 officers and over 600 grassroots security personnel to the affected areas to assist search and rescue operations.
Provincial public security leaders were present at hotspots in the former border district of Song Ma to direct efforts to open access to isolated villages, rescue victims, and help residents stabilise their lives.
Colonel Hoang Vinh Hien, Deputy Director of Son La Public Security, stated: “Public security officers had to overcome treacherous routes, mud, fallen trees blocking paths, walking for hours to reach the affected sites and help local people recover from the flash floods.”
Alongside the public security forces, Border Guard units immediately joined the response. In border communes such as Sop Cop, Chieng Khoong, and Long Phieng, many roads were blocked due to landslides. Rising floodwaters swept away eight suspension bridges, damaged much civilian infrastructure, and disrupted electricity and telecommunications systems.
On the night of July 26, when flash floods occurred, nearly 400 officers and personnel with 23 vehicles from border posts along the entire border were mobilised to clear roads, clean up earth and rocks, rebuild houses for residents, and clear waterways.
Lieutenant Colonel Vi Van Thinh, Deputy Political Officer of Nam Lanh Border Post, shared: “We don’t fear difficulties; we only hope that people can soon return to their normal lives.”
Many households were evacuated and provided with food and essential supplies. Those hands, muddy but warm with human compassion, helped residents ease their pain and rise again after disaster.
Major Ngo Anh Dung from Muong Cai Border Post recounted the search for missing persons in Chieng So commune: “Around 12:30 pm on July 28, we coordinated with the 20th Reconnaissance Company of Son La Provincial Military Command and local residents to find one victim. Everyone fell silent before such loss, but also felt comforted that we could bring the deceased back to their family.”
In recent days, prolonged heavy rainfall has cut off many areas in Son La Province. In Chieng So and Muong Lam Communes, five people were killed and one person went missing, with preliminary damage estimated at over 4.2 billion VND (160,000 USD).
These figures cannot fully express the pain and losses of local residents. The forces paid particular attention to boosting morale and providing practical support for local residents, such as distributing dried rations, instant noodles, providing essential supplies, rebuilding roofs, or constructing temporary shelters for residents.
Colonel Nguyen Dinh Huan, Commander of Son La Provincial Border Guard Command, affirmed: “Helping people prevent natural disasters and conducting search and rescue operations are our peacetime combat mission. We require all border posts to develop specific response plans, proactively protecting the lives and property of both residents and our units.”
In Huoi Mot Commune, one of the areas also affected by storms and floods, eight villages are currently isolated and can only be reached on foot. Rescue operations are being conducted urgently and forces are actively helping residents clean up their homes, clear waterways, and sanitise the environment around schools and healthcare stations.
Do Tuan Dat, Party Secretary of Huoi Mot Commune, said: “For isolated villages, we have sent walking teams to survey and assess the situation. Public security and military personnel participate in carrying rice and food to households, ensuring no household lacks essential supplies.”
In flood-affected areas, from remote villages to key transport points, soldiers’ footsteps continue to leave their mark. They are friends, relatives, and pillars of support amidst storms and floods for compatriots in border regions.
Son La Party Secretary Hoang Quoc Khanh stated: “After directly inspecting and visiting flood-affected households, the Son La Party Committee immediately directed the departments and sectors, specifically public security and military forces to support the relocation of people and property to safety. The province is prioritising efforts to recover from the consequences of storms and floods, quickly stabilising people’s lives.
In the journey of helping people rebuild their lives after floods, public security and military forces in Son La are not only those who carry out duties but also symbols of human compassion, courage, and responsibility.
In the most difficult and dangerous moments, military-civilian bonds have deepened further, clearly demonstrating the armed forces’ role, responsibility and devotion to the people at the nation’s frontline. It is this silent sacrifice that has provided additional strength for flood-affected communities to steadfastly overcome difficulties and stabilise their lives after natural disasters.
