Local people in the central province of Quang Binh are facing an uncertain future after two consecutive floods swept away their entire possessions.
While many people were still struggling to cope with the aftermath of floods in early October, they were hit by another severe flood after heavy rains on October 30 and 31. Towns and villages have again been left submerged in water. Tuyen Hoa and Quang Trach districts and dozens other residential areas along the Gianh River are isolated.
Locals said the water level this year rose unusually fast so they were unable to save their possessions. Some people suspect that the Ho Ho Hydropower Plant in Ha Tinh Province continued to discharge water without warning and caused flood waters to rise.
Local Nguyen Thi Man said the water had remained confined to the fields on the evening of October 31 but it quickly flooded their house at 3am. Her husband pushed her and the children onto a boat but stayed to tie up pillars so their house wouldn't be swept away. Man hasn't heard anything from him since.
Man and her children escaped to Highway 12A
Tran Van Giao, chairman of Mai Hoa Commune said many people already lost many belongings to the previous flood, they almost had nothing else to lose.
High-lying terrains and structures like the bridges and railways become shelters. Cao Xuan Ngoc, chairman of Quang Hai Commune said previously many people died because the communal house couldn't accommodate everyone and their livestock.
Floods swept across Highway 12A in Duc Hoa Commune
"Since Quang Hai Bridge was built, people and their livestock can run to the bridge to escape the flood," he said.
According to the Office for Flood and Storm Control and Search and Rescue in Quang Binh, 20,000 houses had been submerged under half a metre to 3 metres of water. One died and five were injured during the flood. Four fishing boats were sunk and traffic has been paralysed.
People in Mai Thuy and Phu Thuy communes were also hit by a cyclone on November 1 that unroofed 70 houses. Schools and rice storehouses were also badly damaged. Over five tonnes of rice were ruined.
