Zhu Zhenquan was born and raised in Caotai village and has seen almost every rising tide pass by the village during his 81 years. He lives with a puppy, two kitties and several chickens. When we walked in his yard, Henan Opera was playing on the radio as the aroma of fish stew wafted through the air.

This is the 16th time that the Mengwa Flood Detention Area, a flood buffer zone along the Huaihe River where more than 200,000 people live, sacrificed its own people's interests for the greater good.

Over the past weeks, China has been hit by torrential downpours causing massive floods in many regions, including eastern China's Anhui Province. Floodgates had to be opened for the first time in more than a decade to ease pressure from rising waters.

"It's no big deal. We're on higher ground," Zhu, sitting in a comfortable lounge chair in his yard, said. "We have water and electricity 24-7. We're fine."  

Despite the flooding, residents along the Huaihe river say this is their home, their land and where they belong. Many older residents like Zhu have a special bond to their village, even when they know their livelihoods are at risk.

"I would not leave this place even if there's another flood coming. This is the land we were born on," said a female farmer surnamed Wang in Caotai village.

"Land and soil are the farmers' lifeline; without them, we cannot survive," said another farmer. "For generations, we farmed the land and love it too much to let go." 

No one living here had anticipated that the Wangjiaba hydrological station would have to open its watergates after 13 years. Farmers on the lower reaches of the Huaihe River are suffering great losses.

Among them is Wang. "I almost cried for losing 8 mu (53.3 acres) of rice fields," she said. "That's about 10,000 yuan (1,429 U.S. dollars)."  

Chen Xiaoqian has been spending 1,000 yuan (142 U.S. dollars) every day to feed his 1,800 previously grass-fed geese since the flooding. "Geese farming used to be free-range (and) I earned about 40,000 yuan but due to the flooding, I have to feed the birds," Chen explained. "That costs extra money."  

Local authorities say stipends will be offered to the farmers to help cover economic losses. However, there are some things that money cannot buy or save, such as seedlings, hard work and a good harvest. The villagers told CGTN they hope the waters recede soon so they can start over, once again.

Despite the economic damage, the silver lining is that people's safety is guaranteed. No casualties have been reported so far. In Funan County, more than 2,000 residents in four towns were evacuated before the flood release. For most in Mengwa, life continues in their small villages built on top of the embankment.

"China's efforts in managing the Huaihe River over the past 20 years have shown great results. The dam is higher and stronger now," said Wang Mingzhu, Party secretary of Caotai. "You might have not spotted the danger, but there is. So we stay vigilant around the clock."