Photos: Residents in central region make floating houses for flood season

VietNamNet Bridge – People in Tan Hoa commune in Minh Hoa district of the central province of Quang Binh are urgently making floating houses for the upcoming flood season in early September.

Tan Hoa is called the “flood land“. It is surrounded by rocky mountains and divided by the Nan River. In the rainy season, from September to November, water usually rushes down from the riverhead very quickly and withdraws after five to seven days. If they do not prepare well, their lives and property are threatened.

In 2010, the historical floods with water level of 12-15 meters high submerged hundreds of homes, washed away a lot of property, increasing the number of poor households in Tan Hoa by over 80%. After that, local people took the initiative of making floating houses for the flood season.

Floating houses are usually 15-20 m2 in area, made with wooden frames and covered by iron or timber. The house can float thanks to the plastic or iron drums under the water.

The house is tied to two pillars of 6-8 meters high, so it is not swept away by water. “Flood water in Tan Hoa rises to high levels, but withdraws slowly and the water does not run fast, so it is safe to use,” said a local man named Tran Huu Hung.

Hung and his son have worked very hard for several days to complete their floating house.

The house is designed for eight people and can contain motorcycles, a refrigerator and food. Last year, Hung's family avoided floods on a raft made from wood bars. However, without a roof, the family and their assets were all wet.