More than half a month has passed since the historic flood that occurred on December 4 in communes and wards in the downstream area of Lam Dong province due to prolonged heavy rain combined with the regulation of flood discharge through the overflow of Song Quao lake. The floodwaters passed through, leaving behind a scene of devastation, heavy damage to people's property and production.
Ham Thuan Bac commune is a locality with Song Quao lake, many residential areas along river basins and streams are deeply flooded.
Up to now, most people have cleaned up their houses and renovated production land to gradually stabilize their lives. However, many households are in a state of being left empty, many houses have completely collapsed and are being supported by the authorities to rebuild them.
At the eco-tourism area of Mr. Cao Van Ngoc's garden (in Phu Thai village, Ham Thuan Bac commune), the scene after the flood is still messy. The tourist area that used to be cool green, located on the riverbank, now has only garbage left, dry tree carcasses scattered on the vacant land.
miniature landscape, the hut was swept away by the water, leaving only traces of the fierce flood. Mr. Ngoc said that the total damage during the flood is estimated at about 600 million VND.
"For now, we can only clean up, the recovery is a matter of concern because it is completely lost. Many rocks followed the floodwaters, burying about 3 sets of land for growing fruit trees. To replant, we have to hire a stone crusher" - Mr. Ngoc shared.
According to Ham Thuan Bac Commune People's Committee, Binh Thuan Irrigation Investment Joint Stock Company Limited has increased the water flow of lakes as one of the causes of widespread flooding in the commune.
Although the locality has deployed rescue and evacuation work immediately after receiving the flood discharge notice, the damage is still very severe. Specifically, the whole commune had 7 collapsed houses, the agricultural production area was damaged up to 2,029 hectares. Many livestock and seafood died or were swept away by the flood. The total damage is estimated at about 50 billion VND.
Ms. Tran Thi My Le - Chairman of Ham Thuan Bac Commune People's Committee said that the locality has reviewed and counted the entire area of damaged crops, and at the same time established a Council to inspect and assess the level of production damage due to natural disasters.
"The commune has submitted a proposal to the superiors for first support for the people, and the Department of Agriculture and Environment is currently considering it. As for the damage in the second phase, we are continuing to synthesize to make timely support recommendations to help people soon stabilize their lives" - Ms. Le informed.
Notably, within just one month, the downstream area of Song Quao Lake has been hit by two consecutive major floods, in early November and early December. The high frequency of natural disasters has caused many households that have not yet recovered from the previous flood to continue to fall into a situation of mounting difficulties.
The water has receded, but the consequences remain. While people are every day struggling to rise up in the midst of devastation due to flooding, the problem of supporting livelihoods, restoring production and operating reservoirs to ensure safety downstream is still an urgent requirement.
