Xop Chao, a village in Nghe An Province, is on the verge of being flooded by the Ban Ve hydropower dam.
Xop Chao is difficult to get to
Water from Ban Ve hydropower plant’s dam has inundated Xop Chao Primary School since August 8.
This is the only primary school in the poverty-stricken village, and the flooding will interrupt education for the entire school year.
Flooding threats
After the school was submerged, local residents in Xop Chao have been trying to relocate their houses to safer places.
"We have no choice but to move our homes. The whole village may be flooded soon," said Cut Thi My, a local woman.
Xop Chao is home to over 30 households, with around 200 people. All of them are of the Kho Mu ethnic group, who prefer living in isolated areas. The vast majority of people in this village live below the poverty line.
The village has no roads, electricity, clinics or modern means of communication.
Lo Trung Thong, head of the village, shared, “The entire village has to move to another place to prevent the possibility of being flooded like the school. We have no other choice but encourage households to relocate. We are seeking for assistance from authorities at higher levels to build a new school.”
According to Thong, many families in Xop Chao are facing hunger and are in desperate need of help.
Nguyen Ho Canh, Chairman of Tuong Duong District People’s Committee said that local authorities have mobilised forces to relocate households from dangerous places.
Flooded school
Entire village may be flooded
Relocation
Cut Thi May preparing to move
An entire village may be destroyed
