Gia Lai is struggling with floods: Shocked when houses are empty, cows are swept away by the water

On November 20, when floodwaters in many areas such as Quy Nhon Bac ward, Quy Nhon Dong ward, Tuy Phuoc commune, Tuy Phuoc Dong ( Gia Lai , formerly Binh Dinh province) began to recede. Mud covered the yard, many roads were still stained with water, furniture was left in disarray, wet - traces of a night of fierce floods that left people unable to react. Many households were still isolated, waiting for each shipment of relief goods.

Quy Nhon Bac Ward (Gia Lai) submerged in water

PHOTO: NGUYEN DUNG

Mrs. Le Thi Man (55 years old, Pho Trach village, Tuy Phuoc commune) stood still by Highway 19, her eyes still filled with fear as she recalled the moment the floodwaters came in at midnight. The water rose so quickly that she and her family only had time to abandon all their belongings and rush to a neighbor's house to take temporary shelter on the second floor, leaving everything to the raging water.

"This morning I had to find my way up here to ask for drinking water and necessities. I had to wait for the water to recede and then clean up the house. Last night was so fast, I didn't have time to bring anything...", Mrs. Man choked, her hands shaking with cold and anxiety.

Cows of Quy Nhon Bac ward residents died in large numbers after the flood.

PHOTO: DINH TRUONG

In area 2, Quy Nhon Bac ward, Mr. Tran Ngoc Sau (55 years old) is still in shock because of the flood which he said was "much higher than in 2009". In just a few hours, the water washed away everything he had saved for many years. More than 1 ton of rice was submerged, 2 cows were swept away by the flood. His house now has only patchy walls and a few damaged items.

"I didn't have time to move anything. The water rose and swept everything away... I could only watch helplessly," said Mr. Sau, his eyes red.

Mrs. Le Thi Man (in Tuy Phuoc commune) with red eyes

PHOTO: HAI PHONG

Not far away, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hue also suffered a heavy loss. 400 chickens, her family's biggest asset, were swept away by floodwaters during the night. She ran to higher ground for temporary shelter, but when she returned, all she saw was a muddy yard and an empty barn.

"The water was too high, I couldn't save anything. Those 400 chickens were all my family had...", Mrs. Hue said, tears rolling down her sunburnt face.

Authorities rescue a flooded family at night

PHOTO: Contributor

Since the floodwaters rose, many communes and wards in the eastern part of Gia Lai province have lost power and mobile phone signals are unstable. Without electricity, people have had to use kerosene lamps for daily activities.

Military forces helped evacuate people to safe places at night.

PHOTO: Contributor

Mrs. Tran Thi Nhung, resident of Group 8, Quy Nhon Dong Ward, said that when the flood came, the three of them were stuck upstairs for 2 days. During the time they were stuck, a force came to provide food and water. Currently, the place still has no electricity and is isolated, so the family can only survive thanks to the support of the authorities.

Ms. Tran Thi Nhung, residing in group 8, Quy Nhon Dong ward, has to use kerosene lamps for daily activities.

PHOTO: GERMANY

Even during the night, authorities are still trying to transport goods and necessities into flooded areas to support isolated people.

Amidst the devastation after the flood, the stories of loss and the bewildered eyes of the Gia Lai people made anyone who saw them feel sad. The flood began to recede, but worries about the coming days regarding meals, shelter, and loans to rebuild their families still piled up.

Military forces used canoes to cross the flood and bring the child to safety.

PHOTO: Contributor

What people want most right now is for each aid trip to arrive promptly, so that they have more motivation to stand up from the rubble and restore their already difficult lives.