Survivor recounts harrowing escape from devastating Vietnam flood

Lò Thị Thiết narrowly escaped death during a catastrophic flood that ravaged her village. Trapped in her home as waters rose to her neck, she made a tearful phone call to her husband, fearing it would be her last. The house, which also sheltered children, the elderly, and a neighbor, was completely buried by mud and debris. Rescue came from the homeowner, who cut through the roof, allowing people to escape. However, during the evacuation, Thiết slipped and was swept away by the powerful current. She managed to grab onto a piece of roofing and held on desperately until another villager, Vy, found and rescued her. The flood completely flattened the village, including homes and rice fields, leaving survivors to scavocate for any usable items. Thiết, despite a deep cut on her hand from the debris, focused on survival, a stark reminder of the devastation that claimed her family's grocery store, their main source of income.

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If you hadn't seen me come out, I probably wouldn't have survived.