The catastrophic flash flood that swept through Háng Pu Xi village, Xa Dung commune, claimed two lives. Seventeen households lost their homes and all possessions as they were buried or swept away by rocks and mud; five more households had their homes partially buried.

In the early morning of August 1, while the whole village slept, an unusual downpour battered the area. Around 3 a.m., Mùa A Thi, the head of Háng Pu Xi, lay awake listening to the relentless rain. Worried that water might flood his house, he went outside to dig a drainage trench. Amid the pounding rain and strange noises from the mountains, an ominous feeling rose within him. Recalling the moment, Thi said he was still shaken: “Around 3 a.m. on August 1, the rain was very heavy. While making a drainage trench for my house, I felt uneasy. I decided to call the area across the stream where many families live, to ask if things were safe and if there were any signs of landslides.”

A woman answered, but instead of words, Thi heard sobbing and panic. “She just cried, terrified, saying a landslide had started. I asked why she hadn’t called me first, but she said she hadn’t had time,” Thi recounted.

Realizing the extreme danger, Thi knew he could not waste even a second. The path to the danger zone was already blocked by landslides. If he went on foot, it would be too late. He made an instant decision:

“I told the households there to evacuate all the children immediately to a safe place. I stressed: ‘Forget your belongings if you have to - just save your family. We can rebuild what’s lost later.’”

Thi and several strong young men from the village rushed to the stream bank. By the time they arrived, around 3:30 a.m., most villagers had moved to safety. But Thi saw 10 households sheltering in a very dangerous area at high risk of landslides. “I shouted for them to cross the stream to our side immediately - it was not safe to stay there!” he said.

Three elderly people refused to leave. Without hesitation, Thi sent four young men to carry, escort, and guide them across the stream.

By about 4:20 a.m., 21 households with 90 people had gathered in a high, safe area. Barely 40 minutes later, at about 5 a.m., a terrifying roar came from upstream. A massive flash flood, carrying mud, rocks, and uprooted trees, crashed down, wiping out nearly all homes and farmland. Everyone shuddered to think what might have happened without Thi’s warning and decisive action.

Mùa Chứ Pó, one of the survivors, still trembled as he recalled: “Around 3 a.m., when the rain was heavy, the village head and security officers were shouting for us to get to the school across the stream to avoid the flood. They told us saving lives was the priority - leave the houses and possessions behind. My children made it to safety, but all our belongings were swept away by the flood.”

Although most of Háng Pu Xi’s residents were saved, tragedy still struck: two children, M.A.D. (14) and M.A.G. (12), were home alone, fast asleep, and were buried by the landslide. Their bodies were found on the morning of August 2.

As soon as the floodwaters receded, Thi organized the unaffected families to light fires and cook to provide hot meals for those who were cold, wet, and hungry. He also mobilized able-bodied men to search for any remaining belongings for the affected households.

Thi’s actions were not just the reflexes of a leader with assigned responsibility, but also came from a deep love for his people and a strong sense of duty to put others before himself. In the face of mortal danger, he kept a cool head to assess the situation, a warm heart to act, and the courage to give decisive orders that saved nearly a hundred lives. To the people of Háng Pu Xi, he is a shining example of selfless bravery - a true hero in their hearts.