The Flood Cleanup

Huê City’s worst floods since 1999 have subsided.  The rains in the nearby mountains slacked first, and though the water continued to fall in town, the flood levels began to drop on Tuesday.  A few more vehicles appeared on the streets, but travelers remained cautious because there was some very slippery mud hiding under the water.

(Be sure to click on each photo to see a larger version.)

By Wednesday, the rain was replaced by a watery sunshine and cleanup began in earnest.  In the countryside the waters receded, but homes near the river and creeks remained full of water.  Residents could wade around their homes, so they were not isolated, but it will be another day or so before they will begin cleaning the mud out.  That won’t take long as there are no carpets, upholstered furniture, or dry wall to repair – families just sweep the mud from the concrete floor and put the plastic furniture back in place.

The work cleaning the streets is the same in the city or in the villages – scooping up heavy shovelfuls of mud and dumping it back into the river.  The Army’s local troops help in the city, allowing a rapid return to daily life.  In the villages, the people do the work themselves, doing the hard, back-breaking labor they are accustomed to doing.  Whereas large trucks haul the mud in the city, wheelbarrows are used in the village to carry the mud to a nearby small creek.

Like most people living in developing economies, the Vietnamese never pass up a chance to benefit from chance.  A lot of wood and bamboo was washed downriver by the flood and caught underneath bridge pilings.  Village women made sure they collected as much of the wood as possible – it will make excellent cooking fires once it has dried out.  Likewise, kids in any culture will find a way to have fun – and what could be more fun than jumping into the flooded creek underneath the village bridge?

Or maybe they were just showing off for the foreigner with the camera.

Comments

[Sam]

When I was a kid and every time a big rain or storm came that flood the community courtyard or the near by tiny pond, I always joined the neighbor kids and jump into the water to have fun almost all day, and didn't even aware that my parents or adult had a worry on their face. Kids are kids every where, it's our human universal protection for young age, because God knows, soon or later, those kids will grow up and must go through all the tribulation like adult. But some adults can have little "fun" too at the situation like this - by taking picture - and share with others, and like our mothers often warned us: be careful not to get wet ! (especially with your camera gear my bro. :-)
Sam