Late on October 8, VietNamNet reporters recorded scenes of urgency along the Dau Han dike, where thousands, including the elderly and local youth, joined forces with authorities to strengthen flood defenses.

With the river nearing dangerous levels, the military, police, local security forces, and emergency responders were rapidly mobilized.

Starting at 7 a.m. on October 7, around 600 people began reinforcing a 600-meter stretch of the dike using sandbags and wave-blocking tarpaulins. By 8 a.m. on October 8, an additional 2,500 sandbags and 600 meters of tarpaulin had been deployed.

Notably, the 673rd Air Defense Brigade (12th Corps), stationed in Lang Giang, Bac Ninh, dispatched reinforcements to support the effort.

Beyond armed forces, many residents and local teachers volunteered. Nguyen Thi Tra, a kindergarten teacher from Hoa Long School in Viem Xa village near the dike, said, “Since classes were canceled, I and eight other teachers have been helping with sandbagging for two days. This afternoon, about 40 more teachers joined residents, soldiers, and police in the effort.”

Tra recalled that after last year’s Yagi storm, the Cau River also rose and similar reinforcements were made. “Everyone volunteered without hesitation for the community’s safety,” she said emotionally.

Nguyen Huu Tau, Head of Dau Han Neighborhood, confirmed that the temporary dike has now been elevated beyond the forecasted flood peak for the Cau River at Dap Cau. Besides funds from the ward to purchase materials, many households donated money for bread, bottled water, rope, gloves, and other supplies to support flood prevention efforts.

In Hop Thinh commune, the left Cau dike plays a vital role in protecting not just the commune but also surrounding areas and industrial zones. A breach here would severely impact lives and production.

Locals noted that this year’s Cau River water level is higher than during last year’s historic Yagi storm. Hop Thinh has mobilized forces to reinforce vulnerable points along the left Cau dike in Huong Ninh and Da Hoi hamlets.

Facing this urgent threat, officers and soldiers from the 675th Artillery Brigade (Artillery Command) arrived on site to reinforce the dike alongside police, militias, and locals.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Khuong, Deputy Brigade Commander of the 675th Brigade, said that upon receiving the request, his unit promptly deployed personnel with equipment and coordinated with local authorities for rapid reinforcement.

Nguyen Thi Hoe, a resident of Huong Ninh hamlet and an industrial worker, shared: “I got home from my shift at 3 p.m. and heard the call for help. I immediately joined others in filling and tying sandbags, forgetting all fatigue from the day.”

Overnight inspections of dikes and flood prevention infrastructure

On the evening of October 8, a task force from the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), led by Director Pham Duc Luan, arrived in Bac Ninh to inspect flood control measures and the state of local dike systems.

Though the rain had eased, the Cau, Thuong, and Duong Rivers remained at high levels, posing significant risk.

Several dikes had weakened, overflowed, or experienced severe erosion.

At Phuc Hoa commune, the right Thuong dike overflowed for 850 meters, requiring urgent overnight sandbagging. Other temporary dikes in Phu Khe, My Ha, and Dong Chan breached in segments of 10–70 meters, forcing the evacuation of 500 households.

Several sections of the right Cau and left Thuong dikes suffered leaks and subsidence and were temporarily stabilized.

Some pumping stations and irrigation structures, including Duong Duc Station, Trang Sluice, and Phu Khe Drain, were submerged and inoperable.

Director Luan urged Bac Ninh to fully mobilize local forces, maintain 24/7 patrols on critical dike sections - especially the Cau River dike through Hop Thinh and Xuan Cam - and prepare for evacuations if necessary.

He emphasized strict adherence to the “four-on-the-spot” principle (local leadership, local forces, local materials, and local logistics) to safeguard lives and property.

By early morning on October 9, the task force continued inspecting Hop Thinh and Xuan Cam.