FLOOD IN HOI AN
Hoi An ancient town sits on low ground surrounded by waterways and mountain ranges. There’s also a tidal influence as the main river meets the sea only 7 km from the old town. Then, during the monsoon season, from late September to late December, with continuous and heavy rains, floods often occur
Recently, many hydro plants have been built upstream from Hoi An and these are blamed for the recent floods. The water discharged from the dams to protect the dam walls during heavy rain worsens the situation caused by nature during the rainy season. In peak floods the water level in the old part of Hoi An can be as high as a one-storey house.
Local people in the old town have learnt how to live with the floods for many years. Things are moved to a higher part of the house or out of the town if the warning is early enough. The main transportation is by row boat. Many families will move out of the town leaving only a few people in their houses to look after their property.
The hardest part of the flood is cleaning up, as houses and streets are fully covered with rubbish and mud. People usually stay awake to wait for the water to go down and clean their houses immediately before the mud gets dry. Then they have to move everything from upstairs back down or from outside the town back to their homes and businesses as quickly as possible. This may happen a few times per year as people never know exactly how high the water will go.
Despite the floods, Hoi An retains its charm in any weather conditions. We wish you a wonderful time at The Hoianian-wine bar & restaurant
