On the morning of September 10, a landslide swept through Nu Village, home to the Tay ethnic minority in Lao Cai province, Northern Vietnam. They were unprepared for the immense destruction of landslides and flash floods following the heavy rainfall brought by Typhoon Yagi.
This led to catastrophic consequences with 48 confirmed deaths, nearly 39 people still missing, and 17 injured, making Nu Village being left in a state of mourning.
The Grief Of The Survivors
Nu Village’s residents, many of whom were asleep in their homes, were struck by the sudden torrent of mud and debris. Among the grieving villagers is Long Thi Hen, a mother who lost her entire family in the landslide - her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild were buried alive beneath the mud.
“My daughter has been lying in the mud for more than two days and I haven't found her yet,” she lamented, unable to contain her sorrow as she waited desperately for her daughter's body to be recovered. Her story is just one of many in Nu Village, where grief and sorrow hangs heavily in the air of the village, with cries of survivors losing their families echoing through the mountains.
Lao Cai Province, along with various ministries and agencies, is continuing to mobilise all available forces to carry out search and rescue operations and mitigate the disaster's impact. The combined rescue force, consisting of over 650 individuals from the military, police, and local residents, are taking part in intense search and rescue efforts.
Approaches To Recovery
Beyond the immediate needs of search-and-rescue and medical care, the long-term recovery of Nu Village will depend heavily on infrastructure development and economic restoration. Many of the village’s families were engaged in small-scale farming or aquaculture, both of which have been devastated by the disaster.
Source: Lao Cai Search and Rescue Command Center
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made clear that the government will provide assistance to help these families regain their livelihoods. In particular, ensuring that roads, homes, and schools are rebuilt quickly is a top priority, as these are essential for the resumption of normal life.
The landslide in Nu Village has sparked an outpouring of support from across the nation. Various charitable organizations, community groups, and individuals have donated food, clothing, and other essentials to help the villagers get through these dark times. Volunteers from neighboring villages have also joined the efforts to provide emotional and practical support to those affected.