Many ancient houses in Hoi An face the risk of damage after storms and floods

ĐNO - After many days of being submerged in floodwaters, the wooden houses in Hoi An ancient town are facing the risk of damage or even collapse if this situation continues and there is no timely solution to save them.

The section of Le Loi Street adjacent to Bach Dang Street was still flooded on the afternoon of November 7. Photo: KHÁNH LINH

On the afternoon of November 7, many streets in the old quarter such as Bach Dang, Ngoc Hoa Cong Nu, Le Loi, Nguyen Phuc Chu... were still submerged in floodwater, causing dozens of wooden houses to be submerged.

Although it is not possible to conduct a specific survey (due to having to wait for the floodwaters to completely recede), Mr. Pham Phu Ngoc, Deputy Director of the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation Center, stated that: wooden houses built with lime mortar, hundreds of years old, when soaked in water for a long time, have the potential risk of serious damage, especially the deterioration of the joints between lime mortar and bricks.

Many ancient houses in Hoi An ancient town are at risk of serious damage due to long-term flooding. Photo: KHÁNH LINH

Mr. Pham Phu Ngoc shared: “In previous years, the mortar also disintegrated but only at a low level. However, this year, the risk of damage will be much higher due to the long period of continuous water immersion, causing the joints between the bricks to easily break. Therefore, it will potentially have many risks affecting the relic, both in the short term and in the long term.”

Hoi An Ancient Town currently has about 1,130 relics, including 1,068 ancient houses, most of which are built of wood and lime bricks.

Before this year’s storm season, the Hoi An World Heritage Management and Conservation Center conducted an investigation and survey, discovering about 30 relics in a state of disrepair, with damage ranging from light to severe. Some relics had to be supported or were proposed for urgent demolition to ensure safety.

Therefore, the impacts of extreme weather and climate in recent days have made Hoi An's ancient houses more vulnerable to damage, termites, and even the risk of collapse.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/nhieu-nha-co-hoi-an-doi-dien-nguy-co-hu-hai-sau-bao-lu-3309484.html