Brian Jeffrey
Devastation in Nhat Tan: Peach and Kumquat Growers Struggle After Severe Flooding
Peach and kumquat farmers in Nhat Tan ward, located in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district, are in shock after historic floods have damaged 70% to 100% of their crops. The waters from the Red River have submerged many of the area’s ornamental gardens.
As of September 13, water still lingers at the entrance of these gardens. After days of heavy rainfall and flooding, clear skies and warm temperatures between 30 and 33 degrees Celsius have finally returned.
The remnants of flooding can be seen across Nhat Tan’s fields, where mud clings to tree bases and some areas are nearly 80 cm underwater. The changes in the trees’ colors near the riverbank highlight the intense impact of the floodwaters.
Households with gardens distanced from the dike faced extreme hurdles in saving their crops due to the overwhelming damage and lack of assistance.
Mr. Tinh reported that his family lost 650 peach trees, expressing hope to recover some roots. “It will take three more years before we can sell peaches again. We need to replant young trees, which will take another year for grafting,” he explained.
A local peach farmer, growing the fruit since age 18, remarked this is the second occurrence of such disaster, with the previous being in 1971. “Yesterday, the water level reached over 1 meter,” he said.
Artisan Le Ham’s That Thon peach garden, home to around 500 trees, also faced devastating losses. Ms. Thu reported that she managed to save only about 25% of her trees by moving them to the roadside, while Mr. Ky from a neighboring garden estimates losses at roughly 3 billion VND.
Ms. Tran Thi Tuyet successfully relocated 300 kumquat trees to higher ground, but now she must contend with cleaning the mud-covered fruits. “We own about 7 acres with roughly 1,000 kumquat trees. The dike was too far for us to save them all in time, leading to a loss of about 700 trees,” she mentioned.
The kumquats that were saved still need significant cleaning in the coming days. Additionally, a nearby pottery business suffered losses as many pots and jars were damaged and submerged.
Ms. Tuyet and her team are currently cleaning and salvaging their pottery items. “We will fully assess the damage once the water recedes and debris is visible,” she noted.
Local farmers began using boats to transport supplies to remote gardens to rescue dogs that guard the plants, as each household often has one or more dogs for this purpose.
September 13 revealed water still pooling at the entrance of the Nhat Tan ornamental gardens. Following heavy rain and severe flooding, the sky has cleared with temperatures now between 30 and 33 degrees Celsius.
Traveling through the fields of Nhat Tan, mud settles around the bases of trees, with some of the shallowest flooded areas approximately 80 cm deep.
At the riverbank, the noticeable color changes in the trees indicate severe flooding conditions.
Families with gardens positioned far from the dike struggled to rescue their plants due to the overwhelming number of trees and the urgent lack of help.
Mr. Tinh shared that his family lost 650 peach trees and hopes to salvage some roots.
Having cultivated peaches since he was 18, Tinh shared this is the second time he’s experienced such devastation—the first being in 1971.
Le Ham’s That Thon peach garden, comprising around 500 trees, was also severely impacted by the floods.
Ms. Thu reported she could save just a quarter of her trees by moving them to the roadside. Meanwhile, Mr. Ky’s garden estimated losses of approximately 3 billion VND.
Ms. Tran Thi Tuyet diligently cleaned mud off the 300 kumquat trees she saved, relocating them to a higher ground path.
The rescued kumquat fruits’ cleanliness will require a significant effort over the next few days.
A local pottery business also encountered difficulties, with numerous pots and jars being broken and submerged by floodwaters.
Ms. Tuyet and her workers are currently working on cleaning and salvaging their pottery items.
On the morning of the flood cleanup, farmers began using boats to rescue their dogs from remote gardens. It’s common for each garden household to have one or more dogs to protect the ornamental plants.
The goats that were rescued to higher ground on September 11 remain safe in an empty field near the dike.
