New things become old things, Hanoi people burn candles, sweep mud, and clean their houses

On the morning of September 13, flood water has receded on many streets in Hoan Kiem district (Hanoi).

Garbage and mud are strewn all over the alleys.

The house is located deep in Bao Linh alley (Hoan Kiem district) and the water only receded early this morning. The homeowner had to put aside all work to focus on cleaning. The space reeked of mud and dampness, making the work even harder.

A stainless steel household goods store on Bao Linh Street was flooded for 3 days, the water rose to half the first floor, causing all the items to be submerged in water. Many items such as pots, pans, rice trays, bowls, and plates were all dirty.

Ms. Hoang Thi Lanh cleaned from early morning until 1 pm but the items were still not tidy. Ms. Lanh said: "We had to peel off all the protective plastic layers and wash the products again. Brand new items look like old items after the flood."

Mr. Giang, the owner of a hot pot shop on Bao Linh Street, said that like many other houses on this street, his hot pot shop was heavily affected by the flooding after storm No. 3.

On the morning of September 13, Mr. Giang mobilized all employees to clean the store. The tables, chairs, and kitchenware looked like they had just been pulled from the river, so Mr. Giang had to use a high-pressure water hose to wash them.

As of nearly 2 p.m., cleanup activities were still going on in full swing. Residents in this alley said that the entire street had only been powered up at 9 a.m. this morning, so families could pump water to clean up and wash away the sand and dirt that had been carried away by the floodwaters.

Not far away, households in lane 137 Chuong Duong Do still have no electricity. This morning, when she heard the news that the water had receded, this woman returned from her "refugee" place. Opening the door and entering the house, she was stunned by the sight of mud flooding the first floor, and the strong stench.

Mr. Nguyen Van Bang from Hung Yen went to Hanoi to help his wife's house in lane 137. Because there was no electricity and the house was in a deep lane, Mr. Bang had to light candles or use rechargeable batteries for light.

Mrs. Nga (Mr. Bang's mother-in-law) said that the water was at its highest point, reaching over her shoulders. Because the house's floor was lower than the street level, the water was even deeper inside the house. Her entire family had to evacuate their 86-year-old father, while some stayed and retreated to the second floor.

"There was a day when I heard a call outside announcing rice distribution but couldn't go out to get it because the water was so high that I couldn't get through the door," Ms. Nga recalls the most difficult time during the storm and flood.

Mrs. Nga's house had a broken refrigerator because it was too heavy to be lifted up. All the blankets and bedding had to be thrown away, and many items were in a "discarded" state because they had been soaked in water for too long.

House number 42, lane 133, Chuong Duong Do, was flooded up to the fourth step of the stairs leading to the second floor. Ms. Tran Thi Bich Hoa lit candles all morning to clean the corners of the house and the stairs.

"I don't remember how many pots of water I've changed since this morning. On the night of September 12, when the water level dropped to 30cm, I went down and stirred the water vigorously to let the mud flow out. However, this morning, my mother and I were still struggling," said Ms. Hoa.

Flood mud is also a nightmare for many people living along the Red River when the water recedes.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga (right, house number 12, Chuong Duong Do street) said that she rented out the first floor as a candy warehouse. Before the water came in, the shop owner had placed the furniture high. However, the rain continued and the flood rose higher than expected, causing many boxes to be swept away by the water, the cardboard boxes mixed with mud and dirt, making it very dirty.

"I cleaned all morning but it still wasn't clean. I hope that after the flood, the whole neighborhood will be cleaned and disinfected to prevent disease. Only then can we ensure the health and safety of everyone," said Ms. Nga.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/doi-song/do-moi-hoa-do-cu-nguoi-ha-noi-dot-nen-quet-bun-don-nha-cua-20240913165908205.htm