Da Nang residents struggle to live amid flood waters

On October 29, the roads leading to Thanh An village, Dien Ban Tay commune were still flooded, some places were more than 1.5m deep. The road to the commune center was deeply flooded, the water flowed so fast that motorbikes and cars could not move. People could only use boats and canoes to row to the main road to buy food, water and medicine to stock up.

In many low-lying houses, water flooded over the fences and into the houses, disrupting daily life. Muddy floodwaters and mud surrounded the area, forcing many families to move to the attic or second floor, which was considered a temporary “safe zone”. Daily activities became even more difficult when the electricity supply in the entire area was cut off to ensure safety.

Mr. Tran Cong Dung (a resident of Thanh An village) said that since yesterday (October 28) until now, the water has been rising continuously, the whole family had to put furniture up high and bail out water to prevent it from flooding into the house. There is no electricity and a shortage of clean water, forcing the family of 7 to live in a difficult situation in the isolated area.

"Anyone in the neighborhood who has a boat can go around and help others, otherwise they have to wait for relief. They are afraid of getting sick and the flooded roads will make it impossible to move in time," said Mr. Dung.

Mr. Tran Cong Dung used a boat to buy food to support households in Thanh An village.

In the midst of severe natural disasters, the bond between neighbors grew even stronger. Those with boats volunteered to transport goods and people; those with food shared with their neighbors. People used boats to go from house to house, passing packages of instant noodles, bags of rice, and bottles of water through the floodwaters.

According to Mr. Tran Dong, head of Thanh An village, this year’s flood level has exceeded that of 1998, causing many houses to be deeply submerged. Prolonged heavy rains caused the water to rise very quickly, leaving many households unable to react in time.

Floodwaters flooded into houses, people used boats to buy food to store.

"The flooding is likely to last longer, and food is almost gone, so many people have taken the initiative to use boats to go to the main road to buy food, flashlights, and medicine to store. Many families with elderly people and children have had to evacuate from flooded areas to ensure safety. Now we just hope the rain stops and the water recedes quickly so we can clean up and restore normal life," said Mr. Dong.

Faced with the above situation, the Dien Ban Tay ward government mobilized militia, police, and youth union members to be on duty 24/7 to support people and promptly handle emergencies.