Located at the end of a small road in Hamlet 9C, Mieu neighborhood, Phuoc Tan ward, about 500 m from the Buong River, the small house of Tran Kim Binh (64 years old) remained submerged in water on the afternoon of 13/9, more than a day after the flood peak receded. Every 15 minutes, he wades out into the yard wearing boots to remove debris, hoping to help the water drain faster. Occasionally, his impatience gets the better of him, and he uses a shovel to widen the drainage opening.

"The floodwaters rose on the evening of 12/9, reaching almost 70 cm and damaging many belongings. I've lived here for over 20 years, and I've never seen three floods in the seventh lunar month, with the water receding so slowly," Mr. Binh said.

Mr. Binh clears debris to help the water drain on the afternoon of 13/9. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

Mr. Binh clears debris to help the water drain on the afternoon of 13/9. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

Among the most severely affected households in Mieu neighborhood, Dong Thi Hieu (37 years old) recounted how on the afternoon of 12/9, when she saw the water starting to rise on the road, she had to leave work early to pick up her eighth-grade daughter. With only her two children and herself at home, she had to call on the ward's militia force for help moving their belongings to higher ground.

"By evening, the water inside the house was over 50 cm deep, and the road outside was flooded to almost a meter. The flood also ruined most of our family's crops," Ms. Hieu said.

Not only Hamlet 9C but many other hamlets in Mieu neighborhood were also deeply flooded. Trinh Thi Hanh (70 years old, Hamlet 9B) said she is used to "living with floods" but still felt helpless when dozens of her free-range chickens were swept away by the water. "My house is next to a stream, with a garden of over 500 m2. The current was too strong, so I couldn't react in time, and many of my grocery items were also washed away," Ms. Hanh said.

Ms. Hieu's flooded house on the afternoon of 12/9. Photo: Thai Ha

Ms. Hieu's flooded house on the afternoon of 12/9. Photo: Thai Ha

The continuous rain and floods have also disrupted schooling, especially at daycare centers and preschools. Whenever the water rises, these facilities have to temporarily suspend operations, clean up, and disinfect equipment before reopening. On 13/9, nearly 2,700 students of Phuoc Tan 1 Secondary School had to stay home because the school grounds and ground-floor classrooms were flooded.

According to statistics, from 20/8 to the present, Mieu neighborhood alone has experienced five floods, two of which inundated homes, while the others flooded roads and fields. Many low-lying areas remain waterlogged and muddy after heavy rains, making travel difficult. Many residents believe the severe flooding is due to the construction of the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway, which they say is obstructing natural drainage.

Nguyen Quoc Vuong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phuoc Tan ward, said that in recent days, heavy rain in the upstream area of the Buong River caused flooding in hundreds of households in Mieu, Vuon Dua, and Huong Phuoc neighborhoods. The authorities have deployed personnel to assist residents in moving belongings to higher ground and relocating people from low-lying areas near the river to safety. "The main cause of the flooding is the rising water level of the Buong River, and it is not related to the expressway project," Mr. Vuong stated.

The Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway project passes through Mieu neighborhood. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

The Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway project passes through Mieu neighborhood. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

Meanwhile, a recent survey by the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dong Nai province in Phuoc Tan ward identified several reasons for the flooding in the area: the narrowing of the stream bed, an inadequate drainage system, and the impact of the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway construction.

To address the prolonged flooding, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment has urged relevant agencies to expedite dredging and flood control projects. They also requested Phuoc Tan ward to install more warning signs in hazardous areas and identify blockages to improve water flow. Additionally, the Department has proposed that the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee develop a plan to regulate water flow and mitigate flooding from the upstream area of the Buong River to reduce flooding and the risk of landslides in the region.

The Buong River, the largest inland river in Dong Nai province, stretches over 50 km, originating from the mountains in Long Khanh, flowing into the Ben Go River at Long Hung, and eventually joining the Dong Nai River. In addition to drainage, the river also provides irrigation water for agricultural production and supports tourism development in the upstream area.

Phuoc Tuan