The Ministry of National Defense directed the 18th Army Corps to dispatch helicopters to rescue 8 people trapped by floods in Son La province. The helicopter took off at 3:54 p.m. the same day and was expected to arrive at the scene at 4:50 p.m.
Helicopters of the Air Defense – Air Force – Illustration photo: Air Defense – Air Force
The Department of Rescue and Search and Rescue ( Ministry of National Defense ) said that at 3:00 p.m. on August 1, the unit received information from the Operations Department of the General Staff (Military Region 2) about 8 people trapped in Anh Trung village, Muong Hung commune, Son La province.
The Department of Rescue and Relief has coordinated with the Air Defense – Air Force and the 18th Army Corps to be ready to use helicopters and air search and rescue forces to rescue 8 people trapped and isolated due to floods.
The Department of Rescue and Relief requested the Ministry’s Command to report to the Chief of the General Staff and the Chief of the Ministry of National Defense to direct the use of 1 helicopter and air search and rescue forces to coordinate with Military Region 2 and forces at the scene to rescue 8 people trapped and isolated.
The Ministry of Defense has directed the 18th Army Corps to conduct search and rescue flights in Son La province.
Flight number VN-8624 took off at 3:54 p.m. the same day, and is expected to arrive at the scene at 4:50 p.m.
Floods on the Ma River rose, causing flooding in the center of Song Ma district (old), Son La province – Photo: VIET DUC
According to a quick report from the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Son La province, heavy rain on August 1st caused the water level of the Ma River to rise. At 2:00 p.m. on August 1st, the water level on the Ma River at Xa La hydrological station (Chieng Khuong commune) was 2.2m higher than alert level 3 and was continuing to rise rapidly.
Regarding the damage, in Muong Lan commune, there were severe impacts, 4 houses were swept away, collapsed, many houses were damaged and many rice fields were flooded, currently being quickly summarized (due to power outage).
In Song Ma commune, a section of National Highway 12 to Muong Lam commune was flooded from 1.4 to 1.6 meters deep. In Phung Banh commune, the road from Dom Cang to Phung Banh commune was flooded 2 meters deep, 10 villages were completely isolated.
Chieng So commune, Na Loc 1,2 villages, Te Tien village, Pau Hay village are isolated. People have been evacuated to safe places…
As for Muong Hung commune, the current flow through Muong Hung hydroelectric plant is about 3,500 – 4,000 m3/s. Currently, 7/7 floodgates have been opened according to the process to be ready to receive large floods.
Notably, due to the large amount of water pouring in, it was not possible to reach and rescue a household of 8 people in Anh Trung village, Muong Hung commune.
Currently, the military, police and other forces of the province have approached the scene and established a forward command post in Song Ma commune to direct coordination and support in overcoming the consequences.
Son La province has declared a natural disaster emergency to respond to heavy rains, flash floods, landslides, and land subsidence in July and early August 2025 in the communes of Bo Sinh, Chieng So, Huoi Mot, Muong Lam, Nam Lau, Nam Ty, Song Ma, Muong Lan, Chieng Khoong, Chieng Khuong Sop Cop, Tan Yen, and Mai Son in Son La province.
Source: tuoitre.vn
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