Brian Jeffrey
In the season of floods, homes in this area adapt by floating with the rising waters, ensuring the safety of their inhabitants.
Located in Ha Tinh province’s Huong Khe district, Dien My commune is infamous for its frequent and intense flooding. Heavy rains can elevate water levels to rooftop heights, creating a significant concern for flood management among residents.
To tackle these difficulties, the community has created floating houses that rise along with the water. This clever solution allows families to stay secure in their homes, even during extreme flooding events.
“We constructed floating houses so they can rise with the water during floods, allowing our family to be safe inside without fearing for our lives,” shared Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thien, a local resident.
Each year, before floods are anticipated, Mr. Thien and his family prepare by organizing their belongings and collecting crops. Having grown up in a flood-prone area, he is well-versed in preparing for and managing flood threats.
“Before the floating houses, we relied on wooden boats to get around during floods,” Mr. Thien noted. “Now, with our floating houses, we don’t have to worry about relocating our belongings or keeping a constant eye on weather updates.”
Since June, Mr. Thien has improved his financial standing and invested over 50 million VND to create his floating house. Built with a sturdy iron structure and buoyed by drums, this innovative home elevates with the water, safeguarding the family’s possessions and ensuring their safety.
“The floating house, featuring a corrugated iron roof and a drum flotation system, provides security against floods. This practical solution protects our lives and property,” Mr. Thien detailed.
Since 2010, the concept of floating houses, modeled after aquaculture cages, has gained traction in Dien My. More than 60 families in the commune have adopted this design, with many others utilizing floating rafts for flood avoidance.
“This initiative is remarkable as it is affordable and ensures safety during floods,” remarked Mr. Ha Van Dan, Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee for Huong Khe district. “The presence of floating houses has substantially decreased both casualties and property damage in our community.”
The local government in Dien My is proactive about managing floods, establishing response plans and alerts to prepare for varying degrees of flooding. This thorough strategy has greatly enhanced safety and mitigated the adverse effects of floods on the community.
“In the future, we will keep promoting the construction of floating houses to guarantee our residents’ safety and well-being,” added the leadership of Dien My commune.
