Two days of relentless rain have caused severe flooding across Quang Binh Province, submerging thousands of homes in towns like Kien Giang and villages such as Loc Thuy in Le Thuy district. As water levels rise, some families facing the tragic loss of loved ones have been forced to raise coffins on scaffolding until the floodwaters recede enough for burials.
Heavy rains triggered by Tropical Storm No. 6 (Trami) from October 26 to 28 have left nearly 30,000 homes underwater, with the districts of Quang Ninh and Le Thuy among the worst affected. According to Tran Cong Thoan, Chairman of Kien Giang town, over 2,000 homes are flooded, with more than 1,000 severely submerged.
Chairman Thoan explains that the rising water has severely impacted transportation, and authorities have disconnected the power supply to ensure safety.
“In our area, Mr. Dang Dai L., who had been suffering from a prolonged illness, passed away during the severe floods. With her house inundated, his wife had no choice but to raise her husband’s coffin on scaffolding,” said Thoan. Local authorities have been actively assisting affected families by moving them to safer locations.
In Loc Thuy, out of 1,236 households, only around 20 remain above water. Nearly 600 homes are flooded above one meter, with others less severely submerged.
Loc Thuy’s Chairman Duong Cong Nhan noted that, while rainfall has lessened and water levels are gradually receding, thousands of households are still struggling with extensive flooding.
“Authorities have relocated elderly residents and other vulnerable individuals to community centers or safer homes in higher areas. Just yesterday, we relocated 29 households with 71 people to elevated areas,” said Nhan.
In Loc Thuy, an elderly resident, Duong Thi H., passed away from cancer, but her family has been unable to perform burial rites due to the flooding. With support from neighbors, the family constructed scaffolding to lift her coffin above the water.
“The elderly woman passed away at 8 a.m. yesterday, but as both her house and the surrounding area were submerged, neighbors helped by setting up scaffolding to protect the coffin. In our local culture, when someone passes away, neighbors come together to support the family. In normal circumstances, burial would follow quickly, but during a flood, the body is temporarily placed on raised scaffolding until the water recedes. At that time, both the local authorities and residents will assist the family in holding a formal burial,” explained Nhan.
According to Quang Binh Province’s latest report as of 5 p.m. on October 28, the Le Thuy district has recorded 784.6 mm of rain, with water levels at 4.6 meters, surpassing the highest alert level by 1.36 meters. In nearby Quang Ninh district, rainfall has reached 665.5 mm. Currently, 28,341 homes are flooded across Quang Binh, including 15,801 homes in Le Thuy district and 11,540 in Quang Ninh.
Thien Luong
Vietnamnet.vn
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