Following days of heavy rainfall, traders at Giếng Vuông market in Lang Son are facing a challenging situation as they attempt to salvage their goods from the floodwaters. Despite the rain having stopped, the area remains inundated, with traders working tirelessly to recover what they can from the devastation.

On August 24, reports indicated that the market, a bustling commercial hub in the Kỳ Lừa ward, was still submerged, with floodwaters having previously reached the rooftops of stalls. As the waters began to recede, they left behind a significant amount of mud, debris, and damaged goods. Traders, determined to save their remaining inventory, returned to the market to assess the situation and begin cleanup efforts.

Many traders waded through water that reached their waists, desperately trying to salvage whatever they could, holding onto the hope that “as long as there is water, there is a chance.” In parts of the market where the water remained high, some traders resorted to using makeshift rafts to reach their stalls. With certain areas still submerged by nearly a meter of water, the cleanup and salvage operations were far from complete.

One trader expressed sorrow over the loss of a refrigerator that was damaged after being submerged. Tiến Thị Lợi, a 62-year-old trader, recounted how quickly the floodwaters rose, leaving residents little time to react. Within just an hour, the area was completely submerged, and many businesses could only manage to move a portion of their goods, while the rest were swept away or soaked and ruined.

Local authorities have responded to the flooding crisis, with Lã Thị Hồng, Deputy Chairwoman of the Kỳ Lừa People's Committee, stating that they mobilized various agencies to assist traders in relocating their goods to safety. To help residents recover from the disaster, the committee proposed that the provincial military command deploy over 100 personnel to the area. Additionally, more than 100 police officers and local officials were also called in to aid in the cleanup efforts.

These efforts are crucial as the community strives to restore normalcy. The flooding, caused by the rapid rise of the Kỳ Cùng River and Lao Ly stream, has affected many residential areas, including Bản Ngà market and Giếng Vuông wholesale market. Nearly 1,000 individuals worked overnight to assist traders in moving their goods and assets to safety. From above, Lang Son appears engulfed in water, with roads and residential areas completely covered, highlighting the severity of the situation.